WHEN the last original Noddy story was written in 1963, poor old Big Ears probably thought he and his proportionally challenged lugs could enjoy a quiet retirement.

But nearly half a century later Noddy and chums are back thanks to Enid Blyton’s granddaughter, Sophie Smallwood, author of Noddy And The Farmyard Muddle.

Illustrated by Robert Tyndall, who drew Noddy from 1953, the venture is tipped to be a Christmas hit, although readers familiar with the originals can expect a few changes – most notably the banishment of the controversial golliwogs of Golly Town.

Criticised for being racist, the characters were exorcised from Noddy reprints in the Seventies and they have now been replaced by naughty goblins Sly and Gobbo.

New to the town is Stumpy, a plucky elephant.

Other new arrivals include a tattletale cockerel and a benevolent bull who is determined to drive the goblins away after they antagonise his beloved cows.

Although the book might have evolved slightly from the originals, the Dorset influences are still evident.

A regular visitor to Dorset, Blyton admitted that the county was a massive influence.

PC Plod – who was based on the late PC Christopher Rone of Swanage – is still dishing out his homely brand of justice.

“The world’s most famous policeman was a rural Dorset local copper,” says Viv Endecott, who runs the Ginger Pop shop in Corfe Castle, which sells Enid Blyton memorabilia.

“I can’t help feel that the British policeman has got such a good reputation abroad because of PC Plod.”

Plod has been maintaining law and order in Toyland since Noddy’s first outing and during his long and illustrious career has nabbed golliwogs, foiled thieves and even put Noddy and Big Ears behind bars until they could prove their innocence.

Speaking of Big Ears, he’s another time-honoured character who has remained for Noddy’s latest adventure.

The toadstool-dwelling gnome continues to help Noddy out of scrapes and make sure that the town’s traditional values aren’t compromised.

Toyland’s most unlikely housemates, Tessie Bear and Bumpy Dog, are also back for the latest adventure.

Blyton, whose other celebrated children’s books include The Famous Five and Secret Seven series, wrote 24 Noddy books between 1949 and 1963, which have sold more than 200 million copies and been translated into 27 languages.

Noddy’s enduring global appeal is frequently attributed to the way he represents the thoughts and fantasies of young children.

“At four years old you think, ‘Wouldn’t it be lovely to have my own car, to have my own house and to be my own boss?” says Viv.

“But on the other hand he gets in the same muddles as a four-year-old and is quite capable of getting in a tantrum like a four- year-old.”

Noddy And The Farmyard Muddle (Harper Collins, £7.99) marks the 60th anniversary of the rosy-cheeked anti-hero famed for his red and yellow car and matching necktie.

“Toyland represents the toy box that children would have had back in 1949 – you’ve got the teddy bear, the doll and the whole of Toyland, which is made of children’s building bricks,” says Viv.

“It’s a wonderful concept.”