Back in 1991, showbiz  pundits raved about a new British acting talent in the shape of newcomer, Catherine Zeta Jones, billing her as the face of the Nineties.

Since then not only has the gorgeous Welsh actress captured  the hearts of British TV audiences, but has become a darling of Hollywood and not to mention a certain movie star.

Now Zeta Jones fans can turn the clock back to when it all started, with a much loved TV series that can only be described as British Escapism at it's best.

The Best of the Darling Buds of May sees the return of the much loved TV family the Larkins, living life to the full in a new video and DVD compilation, which also features David Jason, as the charismatic Pop Larkin,  Pam Ferris(Matilda, Our Mutual Friend) as Ma Larkin and Philip Franks (Heartbeat) as Charlie.

Based on the H.E Bates novels and short stories, the video and DV both include three classic feature length episodes from each of the three series, including the first ever episode from 1991, where Pop Larkin (Jason) is tracked down by taxman Charlie Charlesworth (Franks). But instead of being able to investigate Pop's financial affairs, becomes completely drawn to a new way of life and to Pop's beautiful daughter, Mariette (Zeta Jones)

From the second series in 1992, "Stranger at the Gates," sees the arrival of  dashing young stranger, called Peter, who turns up on Mariette's doorstep and soon becomes the talk of the village as a handy man, but thanks to a suspicious Charlie putting his foot in it, it emerges that new arrival has a secret past and as a result causes a rift amongst the villagers.

Making up the final leg of the Larkin Trilogy from the 1993 series, " Happiest Days of Your Lives," which sees Pop pulls all the stops to save a boarding school from closure, Charlie and Mariette, decide to go it alone with a new money making scheme, where Pop's daughter shows that in the world of business, she has brains as well as beauty.

The Best of the Darling Buds of May, Video/DVD is released by Granada Video/VCI with the DVD release also featuring a photo gallery.

Video:    Price 14.99                    DVD:  Price £24.99