or invaluable aid? I've seen a couple at the local Focus for about £20-25

Invaluable - I bought one two days ago to strip the wallpaper in the
bedroom, in fact, several layers of wallpaper. I started with wet cloth and
scraper and it was so painful, I drove straight to Wickes and bought one for
~£20. I also bought a wallpaper scraper & spare blades which helped
considerably.

Only problem I had was that it also lifted some of the plaster off the wall
in a few places. This was just finishing plaster over a painted wall. I came
across a few patched holes anyway so I'm guessing it was a poor plaster job
in the first place and it needed to come off anyway.

Cheers, Rob.

PS. Not sure how effective on painted paper though.