FOR many years, people have wondered what became of the great art treasure The Fallen Madonna With The Big Boobies.

The Oxford Times can now disclose the painting, made famous by the television sitcom 'Allo 'Allo, has been found - in Thame.

The painting, by fictional artist Van Clomp, was kept out of the clutches of the Nazis by cafe owner Rene Artois, but disappeared after the show ended 15 years ago.

A national hunt for The Fallen Madonna was launched a few years ago and it emerged that the Marquess of Bath had a copy at Longleat.

The real one has now been found and its owner, Shaun Moore, 58, who was a production designer on the show, has auctioned it off to raise more than £4,000 for the ACE Centre children's charity in Oxford.

The winning bidder for the painting was Colin Jennings from Solihull, who will come to Oxford tomorrow to collect the painting.

Mr Moore said: "It was given to me as a leaving present when the show ended, and it's been hanging in my study ever since. I think that it's a really nice piece. She's been of great sentimental value."

Mr Moore decided to sell the painting to raise money for ACE after his wife told him the centre was facing funding cuts.

The ACE Centre, based at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, in Headington, uses technology to help children and young adults with their communication skills and educational needs. Mr Moore said: "When I heard that Government funding had been withdrawn from the centre I decided that it was time to sell it.

"It's a quiet charity getting on with a huge job. What's more important, a nice painting on my wall or the ability of a child to access schooling?"

Mary Boullin, fundraiser for the ACE Centre, said: "This money will make a major difference to us. "There are a couple of projects that the money will be put towards, including Eye Gaze technology that allows children with physical disabilities to use their eyes to communicate through computers."

  • 'Allo 'Allo is returning for a new one-off special on Saturday at 9pm on BBC2.