Bagpuss and Ivor creator dies

Bagpuss was invented in 1974 by Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate

Bagpuss creator Oliver Postgate has died aged 83, his family has confirmed.

Mr Postgate, who lived in Kent, created some of the best-loved children's TV series including Ivor the Engine, the Clangers and Noggin the Nog.

His work, screened on the BBC from the 1950s to the 1980s, was often in collaboration with the artist and puppeteer Peter Firmin.

In a poll earlier this year, Bagpuss, a saggy pink cloth cat, was voted the best TV animal of all-time.

The furry cat would wake up when his owner Emily left the room, and various other toys would also come to life, including Madeleine the rag doll.

Only 13 episodes of Bagpuss were made in 1974.

In October this year, the rights to the character were bought by company Coolbai, which said it planned to introduce him to a new generation.