THE Stratford creator of the Teletubbies and other hugely acclaimed children's TV characters has been presented with one of the industry's most prestigious awards praising her consistent international success.

Anne Wood CBE, the founder and creative director of Ragdoll Ltd, was presented with a BAFTA, (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) award, for her outstanding contribution to children's television and film.

The award is the latest in a string awarded to the company, Mrs Wood and the Ragdoll characters themselves, including children's BAFTAs, the New York Film and Television awards, the TV Quick awards and a Baird medal.

Ragdoll was founded by Mrs Wood in 1984 and has since produced more than 1,000 programmes aimed for pre-school children and sold truckloads of related merchandise, including videos.

Her most internationally famous characters must be Dipsy, Tinky Winky, Laa Laa and Po but she also created the revered Rosie and Jim, Tots TV, Brum, Open a Door and, her first ever character, Pog.

Teletubbies alone is watched by more than a billion children in 120 countries around the world, marking the success of Ragdoll as an international brand - this week Teletubbies were launched in Russia.

The former teacher, who is also well-known for introducing super star Roland Rat to GMTV in the 1980s, was delighted with her latest gong and said it underlined the importance not just of Ragdoll but of children's television.

"The BAFTA special award is a most remarkable recognition of the importance throughout the world which broadcasters now give to programmes for children, especially the very youngest ones," said Mrs Wood.

She added that the company, which has a shop in Church Street attracting hundreds of youngsters every year, continued to go from strength to strength. "We now know that Teletubbies will go on for ever and ever and its success, and that of Rosie and Jim, Tots TV and Brum, is enabling us to develop and pioneer new ways of entertaining the children of the future," she said.