Plumber finds Great Escape hero's swagger stick in airing cupboard

A SWAGGER stick belonging to a Great Escape mastermind has been found gathering dust in an airing cupboard.

- Adam Dutton

The regimental cane was owned by Marcel Zillessen, who helped plot the breakout of 76 men from the Stalag Luft III prisoner of war camp in 1944.

It was rediscovered by the seller, who had forgotten about it for 20 years, and a plumber when the cupboard was cleared for a boiler repair in Ticknall, Derbyshire.

Before that, the owner's baby son played with it like a toy.

The military symbol of authority is expected to sell for £150 but could fetch much more when it goes under the hammer on May 15.

It belonged to Zillessen when he attended Gresham's School Officer