[2] The theme is that of the friendly rivalry between Roobarb, a seven-year-old green dog with an overactive imagination, and Custard, the mischievous eight-year-old pink cat from next door.

Other characters in the series are the birds, who watch the antics of the other two from the safety of a nearby tree, often making snide remarks, and siding with whoever is winning.

The series is animated in a deliberately rough style, using marker pens and a very sketchy drawing technique, so that the pictures are constantly "shaking".

The series was voiced by actor Richard Briers and the theme tune was written by Johnny Hawksworth for de Wolfe Music.

The cartoon was a success, greatly loved by children and adults alike, and winning numerous awards.

Roobarb A green dog with a shaggy tail, two hairs each on the side of his head and a wild imagination.

He's fond of bones, adventure, inventing and also seems to eat various things like coal, paper, books, chairs, shoes, holes in carpets, trees.

Although malicious and sarcastic, Custard has been shown to care about Roobarb and has even helped him out a few times and enjoys his company.

Examples include when he dressed up as Santa Claus for Roobarb's Christmas party to help save it from being a disaster.

The Noah and Nelly in... SkylArk episode "During a Picnic" features a pirate ship called The Nutty Dog, the figurehead of which looks exactly like Roobarb.

A sampling of Roobarb episodes and theme song made up the basis for the 1992 single of the same name by the UK group Shaft.

Roobarb and Custard were featured in the music video for "The Official BBC Children in Need Medley" by Peter Kay, which contained many other popular cartoon characters.

[8] In 1975, singer-songwriter duo Sandy Davis and Paul Travis were commissioned to write and record an album for the Roobarb TV series.