Raymond Briggs – illustrator, cartoonist, graphic novelist,  illustration lecturer at Brighton and author.   He has achieved great critical acclaim  and huge success with adults and children. He is perhaps best known for  The Snowman which was adapted as animated film in 1985 and  is shown every Christmas on Channel 4,  and has been adpated for stage as a  musical.  Other works include: When the Wind Blows; The Man; Gentleman Jim; The Bear; Father Christmas; Fungus the Bogeman. Many of his books have been adapted into film, TV and stage adaptations. In 2012, Lupus Films released The Snowman and the Snowdog with Channel 4. Currently, TVC are adapting his novel Ethel & Ernest as a feature film starring Brenda Blethyn and Jim Broadbent .