A long overdue return to the little Cheshire market town in this DVD release of the two specials shown at Christmas.

Several stories are entwined, some comic, some touching, some heartbreaking, over both bewitching 90-minute films.

It's a who's who of British acting as the wonderful original characters are joined by several newcomers.

They present tales of romance, death, family troubles, financial chicanery and parrots, at a gentle but never boring pace.

Overshadowing everything is the final arrival of the railway line to the 19th century community and with it the promise - or threat - of change.

David Knights