PEGGY Ollerenshaw was hugely popular as the chalet maid with dreams of becoming a Yellowcoat.

And it was the actress who made the role her own, Su Pollard, who first got Rob into the hit show.

Su, pictured right as Peggy, said: "Rob is the ideal person to write this book because he is very meticulous about his work and has a great interest in the show.

"But he has also had rare access to people such as myself in getting information and he has wanted to make sure everything he puts in is correct and unembellished.

"More importantly, he has been able to convey just how good these shows were and give an insight into what we did and how we did it."

Su, currently touring in a stage production of Annie, ahead of a panto appearance in Bournemouth this winter, said the book had brought back the fun cast and crew had during recording.

Su said: "Being able to go to work every day knowing we were going to fall about laughing was absolutely lovely and I think Rob wanted to get that across to readers as well.

"It is lovely to have him take such trouble over his book.

"I think he has done a tremendous job and I hope it will spur him to do other things as well."