WHO would have thought that a TV series about a group of pensioner policemen solving old crimes would become such a hit.

Yet, New Tricks is one of the BBC’s top ratings winners and has just started a new series on Monday evenings. It stars Amanda Redman, the spring chicken of the group at a glamorous age of 49, Dennis Waterman, aged 60, Alun Armstrong, aged 62, and James Bolam, aged 70.

Redman is their boss, often under pressure from above and exasperated by the terrible trio, and the others play diverse roles as experienced coppers tackling crime from an unusual approach. The writing is sharp, funny and somehow comforting, perhaps because, unusually, it acknowledges the age and experience of the actors and plays on it.

It also reflects the fact that, just like in any other office, people can get tetchy with each other but it doesn’t mean much.

If you’ve not seen the programme yet, give it a go. It’s got a feelgood factor that could brighten your week.