A CLASSIC children's series with episodes filmed in several Hampshire villages is set for a new lease of life in high-definition this Christmas.

Worzel Gummidge has been fully restored and is coming to Blu-ray and DVD in December 2022, with all 31 episodes and 170 minutes of bonus material added. 

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The programme ran for four series and was originally broadcast by ITV between 1979 and 1981. It saw a large number of episodes filmed in Stockbridge, King's Somborne, Broughton, Braishfield and Michelmersh.

Writers Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall were unable to raise money for distribution after originally intending to make a film with Jon Pertwee. Instead, Jon asked them to write a pilot for television, which both the BBC and Thames Television turned down before Southern Television picked it up. 

Although it was made as a children's series, it quickly became a TV show the whole family could enjoy with Jon Pertwee stating that 65 per cent of the viewers were adults.

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Jon Pertwee who played the Doctor in Doctor Who from 1970 to 1974 said that Worzel Gummidge was his favourite role. In 1980, he recorded the theme for Worzel Gummidge and 'Worzel's Song' reached 33 on the UK Singles Chart. Pertwee was buried with a Worzel doll on his coffin.

Jon said: "Worzel Gummidge frightened hundreds of children."

Guest stars included Billy Connolly, Bill Maynard, Barbara Windsor, Connie Booth, Mike Reid, Joan Sims and Lorraine Chase. Sean Pertwee played an uncredited role in series four episode The Jumbly Sale.