BBC denies 'Summer Wine' axe reports

The BBC has denied rumours that Last Of The Summer Wine is going to be axed.

Producer Alan JW Bell sparked reports the long-running comedy series may be coming to an end after he was interviewed about the death of cast member Kathy Staff.

Staff was one of three remaining members of the original cast alongside Peter Sallis and Jane Freeman.

However, a spokesperson for the broadcaster insisted that plans for further series had not yet been made.

"[It] has not been decommissioned," they said. "There is a Christmas special about to go out, followed by a new series in the autumn.

"The series after that will be commissioned once the new series is on air."

Last Of The Summer Wine has been running since 1973. Bell took over producing the show in 1981.