Raymond Briggs began his career as an illustrator after studying art at the Slade School. He first achieved fame through his picture books for children, Father Christmas and Fungus the Bogeyman, but has since moved into the adult world with When the Wind Blows, in which an elderly couple struggle to survive a nuclear attack.

As he told Roy Plomley when they met to choose his eight records, he has now turned this most recent picture book into a stage play.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: The Boogie Rocks by Albert Ammons Rhythm Kings
Book: The complete works by Beachcomber
Luxury: Billiard table with snooker balls and cue