A model home for TV greats

A TREASURE trove of animation history from the legendary studio behind the likes of Danger Mouse, Postman Pat, Noddy and Bill & Ben has found a forever home as the company heads towards its 50th anniversary.

- By ADAM MAIDMENT

Postman Pat's wife Sarah does the gardening

Cosgrove Hall was founded in 1976 by former Manchester Metropolitan University students Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall.

Having previously found success together on The Magic Ball and creating the title design for children’s TV series Rainbow, the pair's first work under their production banner was the ITV stop-frame series Chorlton and the Wheelies, which ran from 1976 to 1979.

Based in Chorlton, Brian and Mark went on to have a successful career with a number of animated hits behind their name, including Danger Mouse and the BAFTA-winning The Wind in the Willows, both voiced by Sir David Jason. They also created a feature-length film based on Roald Dahl's The BFG, as well as the successful animated series Count Duckula.