1. Parallels

In 1946, Edward J Mason wrote the first episode of Dick Barton - Special Agent. The BBC Light Programme's hugely popular serial followed the adventures of the ex-Commando and his mates Jock Anderson and Snowy White.

Despite facing a series of never-ending cliff-hangers at the hands of dastardly villains, our hero always triumphed.

"With one bound Dick was free!"

Half a century later, Edward J's son Lol created Richard Barton, son of Dick.

This is an affectionate six-part homage to one of BBC Radio's most enduring heroes.

When Richard's dad arrives to convalesce after an operation and to start work on his memoirs, strange parallels begin to emerge between past and present, between Dick's old adventures and events in his son's village.

Richard Barton ...... Robert Bathurst
Old Dick Barton ...... Moray Watson
Jock ...... Iain Cuthbertson
Young Dick Barton ...... Julian Dutton
Sally Barton ...... Sally Phillips
Mrs Cadwalladder ...... Ann Beach
Fassbinder ...... Kim Wall
Colin Meadows ...... Wayne Forester

Producer: Jo Clegg

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1997.