Dorothy's slippers head for V&A

Dorothy's ruby slippers from The Wizard Of Oz are leaving Washington on their first international journey to London's Victoria and Albert Museum.

Judy Garland wore the shoes in the 1939 film in which she played a farm girl on a magical journey.

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History announced the rare loan of its popular slippers today.

They will be shown with Dorothy's blue-and-white gingham dress in Hollywood Costume, an exhibit opening on October 20 in London.

Curators say it is the first time Dorothy's dress and shoes have been together since the movie was filmed.

The Smithsonian plans to hold a departure ceremony on Tuesday.