LOUGHTON actress Vicki Michelle has spoken of her delight that the wartime television comedy Allo Allo, which made her a household name is being sold - to the Germans.

Vicki Michelle said: "I think it's fantastic that the Germans have bought it after all this time. It doesn't just send up the Germans, everyone is sent up."

The series, set in war-torn France, and in the café of Renee Artois, will now be screened on German television for the first time after the sitcom, which ran for ten years, until 1992, was sold to broadcaster ProSiebenSat1.

Vicki, who played café waitress Yvette, told the Guardian: "It has been sold to over 80 countries worldwide so it's amazing that it's taken the Germans so long."

Giving her explanation as to the success of the sitcom, which ran for eight series and saw some 85 episodes, she added: "It was terrific. It made you laugh - the whole family would watch it together. It was a whole family show."

Such is the popularity of the programme that episodes are still being screened on mainstream television, as well as on digital channels.

And because of the exposure that the programme is still getting, Vicki continues to be inundated with fan mail - including mail from fans in Germany.

Commenting on the sale of the programme to the German channel, Vicki said: "I think they will enjoy it. Hopefully they will see the funny side of it. I don't think they would have bought it if they didn't think it would be a success."

It is understood that the episodes will be dubbed into German.

Last year the show returned for a one-off Return of Allo Allo, and won a world television award.