BBC'S long running, tender comedy, which got away with following the same story line for over a quarter of a century, may have been jolted to an end at last.

Bill Owen, who played the scruffy Compo in 'Last of the Summer Wine' so well, has this week gone to gentler pastures in the sky.

He'll be meeting up again with Nora's husband, Wally, and the cafe owner's browbeaten husband, who left his kitchen years ago, and who, although I can't remember his name, was the funniest character by far.

The show has survived four different Cleggy types, but I doubt anyone will be found to replace little Bill.

Unless they go for Geoff Hughes - Onslow in Keeping Up Appearances.

Summer Wine was never a favourite programme of mine, but I tuned regularly to see what kind of ramshackle, Heath Robinson vehicle would plough down a hill, pass a policeman, and roll into a field, only to stumble upon Howard and Marina.

Funnily enough if the last dregs have been drained and it does come to an end, I shall miss it.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.