TELEVISION fans from across the south turned out in force to buy copies of a commemorative Meridian book signed by the stars of its flagship news programme.

Presenters Fred Dinenage and Debbie Thrower greeted visitors at WestQuay Shopping Centre in Southampton yesterday.

Meridian staff have just moved to state-of-the-art offices at Solent Business Park at Whiteley, near Fareham, from their former home in riverside studios in Northam, which were built in 1958.

The Northam site, which has been home to ITV for the south of England for the past 46 years, will now make way for housing.

To celebrate the rich history of television production at the studios, the Daily Echo has published The Dream Factory, a glossy 130-page souvenir book looking back at some of the highlights of Southern Television, TVS and Meridian.

Fred said: "The signing's going very well and we've met some lovely people."

Debbie added: "Lots of people are buying the book as Christmas presents. I think it brings back all sorts of memories that can so easily disappear over the years. There's so much history there."

Featuring well-known faces such as Jack Hargreaves, Ollie Kite and Trevor 'The Weather' Baker, and reminiscing about TV favourites like Worzel Gummidge, Houseparty and Runaround, The Dream Factory is available from shops across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for £10.

You can also order a copy online by clicking the Dream Factory logo on the 'This is Southampton' homepage.