BBC calls time on Last Of The Summer Wine

Long-running TV series Last Of The Summer Wine is to be axed, the BBC announced today.

The series, which first launched in 1973 and has starred actors such as Bill Owen, Peter Sallis and Frank Thornton, will run for just one more series.

The BBC said it was "very tough to have to call time" on the show.

There had been speculation for many years that the show would be retired but it was continually recommissioned.