He might be an eminent writer, but retirement doesn’t seem to be a word in Jeremy Paul’s vocabulary.

Far from suffering from a drought of inspiration in his senior years, the 71-year-old can’t seem to get his ideas down quickly enough.

He’s just finished writing a film (which he’s waiting to get funding for), has a book on the backburner and still keeps a hand in play writing.

No danger of a quiet retirement for Jeremy then.

But more about those projects later, for now I’m intrigued about his musical, Little Matchgirl, which is now showing at Poole Lighthouse.

Adapted from Hans Anderson’s short story of the same name, Jeremy wrote the stage version back in the seventies with Leslie Stewart and Keith Strachan.

“It appears to be a rather sad story about a little girl who is neglected in Victorian times over Christmas,” says Jeremy.

“But she battles it out and comes through with a wonderful spirit. It’s about overcoming serious social difficulties and I think the great thing about it is that so many of the issues are still here today – the rich get richer and the poor get ever more neglected.”

Their original production of Little Matchgirl was put on at the Orange Tree theatre in London and there have been various incarnations of the musical since.

It was also done as a film starring Twiggy and Roger Daltrey, but is perhaps best known for the famous song Mistletoe and Wine, written by Jeremy, Leslie and Keith but popularised by Cliff Richard.

“It wasn’t even the main song of the show,” says Jeremy.

“But Cliff came upon it and said ‘this is the song I’ve been waiting for.’ He changed a couple of lines and the rest is history.”

The latest version of Little Matchgirl is proving to be a family affair for Jeremy, so much so that he almost forgets how many relations he has in the production. “Two of my daughters, Sasha and Tara, saw the play originally and sang it incessantly so they felt they had to be involved in it,” he says.

“And my wife Patricia Garwood co-directs it along with Sasha.”

Two of Jeremy’s grandchildren (he has ten in total), also appear in the musical.

“Oh yes,” he remembers.

“Mustn’t forget Oliver and Jessica, they play urchins.”

However, the stars of the show are two prominent local actors, Emily Williams and Jake Howlett. “She’s sensational and going onto the stage, no doubt about it,” says Jeremy.

“And Jake he plays a very moving, sparky character.”

Away from the theatre, Jeremy has proven to be a prolific writer for the screen.

He was involved in the series Upstairs Downstairs and has written for Midsomer Murders and Love Joy, which was arguably his favourite.

“I loved doing that. Ian McShane was good fun and it suited my style,” he recalls.

“You could go into some quite interesting areas of relationships, which is what I think I do most – I always try to find the light and shade of life.”

Which is the main theme for the film Jeremy has finished writing, called Sink or Swim.

“It’s set in Swanage and it’s about five people who come over on the ferry from Sandbanks,” explains Jeremy.

“They come for the Swanage carnival, they don’t know each other but during those four days their lives accidentally trip into each other and they all go away slightly changed.”

Jeremy hopes to get funding to shoot the film in Swanage soon. Oh and let’s not forget about his book, The Perilous Adventures of a Rabbit Called Jones, which he’s currently writing.

“I think it’s what I will be remembered for,” he says confidently.

“It’s about a rabbit who sets off to find the meaning of life.

Jones keeps me sane – it’s good relieving fun away from writing film.”

• Little Matchgirl is showing at Poole Lighthouse until January 29.