Painting's final 'Archers' scenes to air

Norman Painting's final contributions to BBC radio drama The Archers will air on Sunday, it has been announced.

The actor, who played farmer Philip Archer on the Radio 4 show, passed away last month at the age of 85.

Painting's last scenes, which were reportedly recorded just two days before his death, focus on Philip's preparations for Christmas as he enjoys a Sunday lunch with his grandsons.

The Archers' editor Vanessa Whitburn told BBC News: "It has been of great comfort to me that he was able to carry on recording right up until the end of his life."

She added: "It seems fitting that Norman's final scenes should perfectly reflect the character he had brought Phil to become - a grandfather and a family man, with a mischievous sense of humour, and an active interest in the workings of his much-loved farm, Brookfield."

Painting played the part of Philip from The Archers' pilot episode in 1950. He also wrote more than 1,000 scripts for the programme between 1966 and 1982. However, in recent years, his involvement had been limited due to ill health.