MORE than 300 people turned up to witness campers reunited on Sunday in Dovercourt.

Stars of the hit TV series Hi-De-Hi came from as far away as Australia to take over the Cliff Hotel to celebrate 30 years since the first episode was shown.

Fans from Croatia, Holland, Ireland and Scotland had made the journey to Dovercourt, where the programme was filmed, to have their chance of meeting the cast.

Actors Su Pollard, Ruth Madoc, Barry Howard and writer David Croft signed the new book called the Hi-De-Hi Companion, released to coincide with the weekend, for more than two hours.

“It’s been extremely hectic,” said Su Pollard, who had flown down from Glasgow early on Sunday. “As soon as I got here I got out my ironing board and then it was time to meet everybody.

“It’s great to see all of the old friends again and to be back at Dovercourt. As soon as I saw that sun I knew I was here.”

Two of the original cast only had to pop round the corner to join in though as David and Tony Webb still live in Lawford and Dovercourt.

“We lived here when we were cast in the series and have never wanted to move away,” said David.

Fans were queuing through the hotel to get a chance to meet the “legends”.

Chloe Carey, aged 13 whose grandmother lives in The Haven, Dovercourt, said: “My dad showed me an episode one day and I was hooked.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to be able to meet them all.”

Others reminisced about watching the episodes being filmed and seeing the stars wandering through the town in the 1980s.

Sue Jackson, of Washington Road, said: “It was just great to sit down and watch the show because you recognised all the places and then you would see them in town.

“Tickets were sold out months ago but we were lucky that some people backed out and were able to join in the rest of the fun.”

While the actors came and went, Tony Tarran and his wife Jo organised a weekend of events for fans to enjoy.

Mr Tarran said:“There was a bus ride round the town yesterday and a Hawiian themed dinner.

“It’s just been a great weekend for the town and I have had a fantastic team of helpers behind me.”