TV chiefs have launched a search for lost classics of a golden age.

Viewers are being asked to trawl their attics and garages for tapes and reels of missing episodes of classic favourites including Doctor Who, Top of the Pops and the Likely Lads.

Telly historians say there are huge gaps in the archives of British television covering the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

Researchers at ITV have spent a year hunting down missing films for a new series called Raiders of the Lost Archive which has uncovered early shows by famous presenters.

But they found that many of the programmes remain lost and are now appealing for help.

A list of TVs 50 Most Wanted Shows has been compiled to highlight some of the gems which have been lost to posterity.

ITV wants to hear from private collectors, fans and ex-industry workers and their families who may have reels of film or tapes tucked away in a garage or in the garden shed.

It is believed that many iconic performances, including film of the early Beatles performing on Top of the Pops in Rusholme could have been lost forever because they were not recorded or made at a time when videotape was so expensive they were recorded over.

Dramas

The shows, broadcast on ITV and BBC, feature popular productions such as the Likely Lads, Doctor Who and Sunday Night at the London Palladium and not so well-known works like Sez Les featuring early performances from Collyhurst comedian Les Dawson.

Coronation Street star William Roache is looking for dramas he made before he took on the role of Ken Barlow in 1960. He said: "I would love to see them again and if there is anyone around who might know where we can find them I would ask them to get in touch."

Gary Morecambe, son of legendary funnyman Eric, revealed that some of his father's early shows with sidekick Ernie Wise had been lost. He said: "Many of their appearances from the 50s and 60s seem to have vanished without a trace - it would be a fantastic Christmas present for us and millions of fans if this campaign could turn up some of the missing shows."

The five most wanted shows from the Granada region include 1963's Scene at 6.30 presented by Michael Parkinson and Gay Byrne and 1961's The Younger Generation featuring the likes of John Thaw and Johnny Briggs.

* See the list of the 50 Most Wanted Shows at www.itv.com/lostarchive

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