THE creator of some the most popular children’s characters of all time including Bagpuss and The Clangers, is set to return to his childhood town for a special exhibition.

Peter Firmin, creator of many iconic British television animated characters, will exhibit some of his prints at the Swan House Gallery in King’s Head Street, Harwich, during the Harwich Festival of the Arts.

Once Upon A Time is an exhibition of storytelling in art and is the first time Peter has exhibited work in his old hometown.

The display will feature contemporary and original signed prints of the whole Bagpuss family, along with a series of illustrations Peter developed for a Folio Society publication entitled Folk Tales of Britain.

Visitors are asked to arrive on the opening night for a chance to meet the legend himself.

Roger Olive, curator of the gallery, said: “I wanted to continue the previous year’s theme of storytelling and remembered reading about Peter’s BAFTA special award in 2014 for outstanding contribution to children’s media.

“But also because of his connection to Harwich and Dovercourt – where he lived and went to school.

“So I thought I would get in contact with him and ask if he would like to be in the show.

“He replied immediately saying he would love to. I couldn’t believe our luck.

“He had such fond memories of growing up in Dovercourt and visiting the Regal Cinema.“

He added: “My wife Katrina and I travelled to Canterbury.

"We thought just to collect some prints to exhibit in the gallery only to find they had prepared a three-course meal to welcome us.

“We soon found ourselves in a dining room having lunch with Peter and his wife Joan, sitting in the very same bay window used to film the opening sequence to Bagpuss, where Emily walks past the old shop window.

“It was just magical.”

Mr Olive said he was thrilled to announce the exhibition would also include work by internationally renowned artist James Dodds.

His paintings and prints are inspired by boats and boat building.

Prints on show include illustrations developed for his Jardine Press publications in collaboration with poet, author and pop genius Martin Newell.

The exhibition will open today from 7pm until 10pm and will run until July 3. Normal gallery opening hours are Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm and Sundays 10am-4pm.