Brother and sister Michael and Laura Woodrow celebrate the Clangers' birthday with creator Peter Firmin. Picture: Barry Duffield

by Joe Walker

Children's TV favourites the Clangers celebrated their 40th birthday at the weekend.

Co-creator Peter Firmin made a guest appearance at the Museum of Canterbury on Saturday to mark four decades since the hit BBC show was launched.

The programme - first shown on Listen with Mother on November 16, 1969 - featured the peculiar inhabitants of a small blue planet at the far side of the galaxy.

It was the inspiration of Mr Firmin and Oliver Postgate, who died last year.

Visitors to the museum were given the chance to see the original characters in close-up detail, including the entire Clangers family, the Soup Dragon, the Froglets and the Iron Chicken.

Mr Firmin’s daughter Charlotte was also on hand to teach youngsters how to draw a Clanger.

Other activities included making Clanger planets, learning how to talk like a Clanger and storytelling.

For more pictures, see this week's Kentish Gazette out Thursday.