BBC Radio Four drama The Archers is paying tribute to Princess Margaret, who died on Saturday at the age of 71.

The princess appeared on the long-running show as herself in 1984 and the team wants to pay its respects, said a BBC spokesman.

Margaret joined the countryside soap for one episode to highlight children's charity the NSPCC, of which she was president.

She was very kind, very pleasant. She welcomed us all

Actor Jack Woolley

Jack Woolley, played by Arnold Peters, will remember the time the inhabitants of Ambridge met the princess, in Sunday's show at 1900 GMT.

The Queen's younger sister died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday morning after suffering a stroke and developing heart problems on Friday.

'Interested'

Margaret appeared as herself on The Archers in an episode featuring a charity fashion show.

Her role was recorded at Kensington Palace and Mr Peters said it had been great working with the princess on the programme.

The flag at half-mast over Buckingham Palace

He told BBC News 24: "She was very kind, very pleasant. She welcomed us all, shook all our hands.

"She was very concerned with the noise, because she had the plumbers in.

"She was also concerned with a clock ticking, and said she could stop the noise if we wanted, but the engineer said it was fine.

"She was just very interested in how we were going to do it," added Mr Peters.

Donations

Condolence e-mails can be sent to the princess's memorial website at www.royal.gov.uk and will be passed to her family.

And Buckingham Palace has said anyone wanting to make a donation to charity in memory of the princess should make a contribution to the NSPCC, Guide Association or the Royal Ballet.

A book of condolence was opened on Sunday morning at St James's Palace in London to allow the public and friends of Princess Margaret to pay their tributes.

Memorial service

Her funeral will take place on Friday 15 February at 1500 GMT in St George's Chapel, Windsor, the Palace announced.

Members of the Royal Family and friends will attend the funeral, which will not be a State occasion, and a memorial service will be held at a later date.

BBC2 is to show an hour-long tribute to the life and times of Princess Margaret entitled "Margaret Rose - Portrait of a Princess" on Sunday.

Radio Four will also broadcast an hour-long special hosted by Sue MacGregor, at 2000 GMT.