This week marked 40 years since loveable litterpickers the Wombles first appeared on our TV screens.
The fictional furry creatures, who lived on Wimbledon Common, were known for their “make good use of bad rubbish” motto and eco-friendly message.
Writer Elisabeth Beresford was inspired to create the Wombles after walking on the Common with her children, who pronounced it “Wombledon”.
The characters first appeared in a series of children’s books in 1968 and later made it on to the screens in their own BBC TV show, first aired on Monday, February 5, 1973, and ran until 1975.
Ms Beresford died, aged 84, in December 2010.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here