The Wombles are back in a freshly recorded series for Radio 4 narrated by Richard E Grant and directed by Johnny Vegas.

It marks 50 years since they first appeared on the BBC.

Wimbledon Common’s most famous residents were created by Elisabeth Beresford, who lived in Alderney from 1978 until she died in 2010.

The Wombles live under the common, tidying up everything that humans leave behind.

Each Womble is named after places the author had a connection with.

Alderney is Madame Cholet’s assistant, but while she appeared in the early books, she didn’t turn up in the TV show until its second series.

Earlier this year, five Wombles statues were unveiled in Alderney and placed in prominent places around the island to celebrate their creator.

The Wombles and the BBC

The Wombles first aired on 5 February 1973. It was shown at the end of children’s programmes, just before the news.

The theme tune was written by Mike Batt, and became a top 10 hit, one of many for The Wombles pop group.

Ivor Wood designed The Wombles for television with pointed snouts and floppy ears, in the original book they were more like teddy bears. 

Bernard Cribbins narrated the series, voicing all the different characters.

The last Wombles programmes on the BBC were made in 1975, but there were many repeats. There was also a Womble film, stage show and merchandise.

The new radio series will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Monday 25 December from 18:15.

Pictured top: Great Uncle Bulgaria, Bungo and Stepney pictured at thebNational Media Museum in Bradford. (G1MFG/Wiki)