'Unprecedented' crowds at Coventry children's TV exhibition

The show features exhibits from 1946 to the present day

An exhibition in Coventry looking at the history of children's television has attracted "unprecedented" crowds, the organisers have said.

The show, called The Story of Children's Television, features exhibits from programmes from 1946 to the present day.

It began on Friday and will run at the city's Herbert Art Gallery and Museum until 13 September.

The organisers said the opening weekend crowds had exceeded expectations.

The original Gordon the Gopher, complete with the leather jacket given to him by Adam Ant

The original Muffin the Mule puppet is one of the oldest items in the exhibition

The organisers said the opening weekend crowds had exceeded expectations

The event, which cost £66,000 to stage, was part-funded by Culture Coventry and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

It features items such as the Tracy Island model built on Blue Peter and costumes from The Wombles.

It has been developed by staff at the museum in close collaboration with the University of Warwick, as well as the BBC and Kaleidoscope, the classic television organisation.

A full set of Blue Peter badges

Items on loan from Ragdoll Productions include the original Pob

Huw Jones, from the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, said: "The exhibition has got around 200 objects, some of which are original production items - the things that were used to actually make the programmes."

A Grange Hill uniform and the original Muffin the Mule are also on display.

Dr Helen Wheatley, from the university, said: "Everybody has their moment of children's television.

"Nostalgia is a major theme because it takes the viewer back to childhood, a time when life was simpler."

A Grange Hill uniform is also on display

The version of Tracy Island, as made by the Blue Peter team

Robert Seatter, from BBC History, said: "With over 70 years of wonderful programmes to call upon, we are really keen that there will be something for everyone to enjoy in this exhibition.

"We hope to see grandparents, parents and children all coming face to face with their favourite childhood characters and broadcast moments both past and present, proving the enduring appeal of children's television."

It is planned to tour the exhibition to other museums over the next two years.