Last of the Summer Wine runs out at last

The world's longest-running sitcom, Last Of The Summer Wine, bowed out in typical style last night with a slapstick gag about policemen's trousers.

And fittingly, it was the character Norman Clegg, played by Peter Sallis, who had the last word when he inquired: "Did I lock the door?"

Clegg is one of the few surviving members of the first series which aired back in 1973. The show, charting the exploits of pensioners growing old disgracefully, has been a perennial favourite ever since. In its heyday the show, written by Roy Clarke, regularly attracted audiences of 18-20 million.

Fans are believed to include The Queen, John Cleese and Afghan president Hamid Karzai. Spawning much-loved characters such as Compo and Nora Batty, the gentle series catapulted the picturesque West Yorkshire town of Holmfirth, where it was filmed, firmly into the spotlight.

But last night the curtain finally fell on the programme, which has boasted 295 episodes and 31 series in 37 years.