The badges which can only be awarded by the kids' TV show
to youngsters who "contribute to the programme" confer on
the holder the right to free entry to a range of tourist
attractions. It appears that Edinburgh Zoo played a key role in
exposing the evil trade after staff "became suspicious of an
increase in badge-holding visitors, including one family where
every child had one". Accordingly, the zoo has temporarily
suspended free entry.
Apparently, a Beeb black ops unit has been monitoring the
situation for some months and the corporation reckons it has
succeeded in getting some of the eBay auctions pulled.
There were, though, still plenty of opportunities to get yer
dirty mitts on a badge on Monday afternoon, including a nice
example at a heady 112 quid. The blurb stated: "This badge will
gain free entry for badge holders under 16 into many places such as
museums, stately homes and exhibitions. Check the official 'Blue
Peter' website for the complete list." The vendor then helpfully
provides the link to said resource a nice touch.
Obviously, the BBC has a point here. The badges come in five
flavours and "a gold Blue Peter badge is reserved for exceptional
achievements such as saving a life, while a green one is awarded
for conservation work", and so forth. Blue Peter editor Richard
Marson told the BBC's website: "We know how hard children work to
earn a badge, and we are doing our best to ensure that this
long-standing Blue Peter institution is not undermined."
