Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe star in two classic BBC Radio episodes, The Dreaded Batter Pudding Hurler of Bexhill-on-Sea and The Histories of Pliny the Elder...

The Dreaded Batter Pudding Hurler of Bexhill-on-Sea (originally broadcast in October 1954): No less than 38 Batter Puddings have been hurled at Minnie Bannister, the world famous poker player. (Give her a good poker and she'll play any tune you like.) A madman is at large - so it's time to call in Scotland Yard!

The Histories of Pliny the Elder (originally broadcast in March 1957): The mighty Julius Caesar has invaded Ancient Briton, only to be greeted by none other than Eccles. Undeterred, Caesar and the might of the Roman army prepare for battle, while the Britons prepare for a game of football. However, Caracticus Seagoon will never surrender to Rome - he will fight them up the hill and down Mrs Dale.

This Goon Show Classics compilation is released through AudioGo's "Vintage Beeb" catalogue. "Vintage Beeb" sees classic albums first available as BBC LPs, now available on CD for the first time.

While completitsts will want to add this to their collection, casual Goon fans might want to give this one a miss. While both episodes are entertaining enough, neither are anywhere near classic status. The writing appears to be a little lazy, with Pliny appearing to have been thrown together in a rush - mind you it was the last in that year's series, so that probably explains it.

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Darren Rea