With informative, but never imposing, narrative, each programme lasts not less than 40, and some nearly 60 minutes.

Rye stands on the very edge of Romney Marsh, an island town raised above the surrounding countryside. For many centuries it was a busy port, until gradually the sea receded leaving the town connected only by a river to the English Channel. As a Cinque Port, one of a number given a Royal Charter in the 11th century, its men and ships tirelessly defended the realm, but these same ships were often used for more notorious pursuits, piracy and smuggling.

This town has changed so little over the centuries that just a walk along its streets evokes the timeless atmosphere that this DVD captures so well.

No part of Britain has a richer diversity of history than Sussex. Its a landscape of chalk downs and wooded weald reveals the traces of countless generations who, since "Boxgrove Man" and his companions arrived half a million years ago, have settled here and made it their own.

In 43AD, the Romans arrived, driving three roads from London down to the Sussex coast, exploiting the iron deposits of the weald and the fertile soils below the downs, their villas liberally sprinkled about a well-managed countryside.

Hundreds of years later, the restless Saxons would invade, farming further into the wooded weald and building their churches all over the county until they, in their turn, were dispossessed by the Normans after the most famous battle in English history, just a few miles from Hastings.

This county is a tapestry of varied moods, from the lapping waves of the English Channel, along the hump-backed ridge of the South Downs and across miles of patchwork quilt fields. This programme brings that ancient quiltwork to life.

It was the 7th Duke of Devonshire, who in 1850, transformed an area of rolling pastureland into an elegant seaside resort. Whilst it`s a modern town, it has roots that go back to prehistoric times. This is where the Romans are believed to have built their city of Anderida, certainly it was the site of a Roman Palace occupied by the Count of the Saxon Shore, there was also a port and at nearby Pevensey, the remains of a great Roman fort.

The town boasts some of the mildest weather conditions on mainland Britain. We see this thriving watering place at work and play, through the seasons of the year - from the reds and golds of autumn, the first snowfall of winter, the might and majesty of the wild sea in early spring, through to the sheer calm and brilliance of summer.

Enjoy a boat trip to Beachy Head, take a simple stroll along the long and elegant promenade.

The town has survived and expanded, joining with many outlying villages which just centuries ago were isolated from Eastbourne by fields and muddy tracks. This is not a full history, but an opportunity to witness this progress of change comparing yesterday and today as living history.

and also on DVD

Glimpse the town's past - and history in the making. See the new harbour develop from shingle beach to internationally renowned maritime centre. Witness the cliff-edge rescue of Beachy Head's historic Belle Tout lighthouse. Travel on one of the smallest railways in the county. Peep into the secret world of Freemasonry.

See the decision-makers at work at a full Council meeting. Go behind the scenes in Eastbourne's oldest cinema, parade with the Salvation Army, search out local history at a Napoleonic fort.

All this and much more.

and also on DVD

It's about the hidden Brighton as well, the under-ground maze of sewers, potting sheds where the towns vast array of floral displays are propagated and it`s the Brighton of king and commoner alike; the Royal Pavilion, the Palace Pier, the home of the inventor of cinematography in Middle Street and where Bing Crosby made his last public performance.

Sport is covered, so are Brighton's museums and there's many a story about some of Brighton's more unusual residents.

This downland, praised by many writers, attracts visitors from all over the world. It is a unique piece of English history, for here amongst the rolling downland, ancient man has left his mark, his distinct features on the landscape.

Discovering the South Downs follows the South Downs Way, starting at Beachy Head. Along the route, the DVD visits the numerous downland towns and villages and rediscovers why this chalk range of hills has become so beloved by resident and tourist alike.

Based on his widely-praised anthology for Pomegranate Press, this colourful celebration takes us throught he county's scenic countryside, along the banks of its rivers and into historic towns.

David's knowledge of Sussex is encyclopaedic, but In Praise of Sussex reveals a happy knack of informing his audiences in an easy and entertaining way. Join him for an unforgettable journey.

Great men and events have placed Kent prominently in world affairs. At Westerham, Winston Churchill and General Wolfe made their homes, Leeds Castle was the residence of many an English king and at Hever Castle, Henry VIII wooed Anne Boleyn.

The county is a spiritual place too, with ancient stone circles where people once worshiped the sun and in more recent times, Carmelite monks have returned to their Aylesbury Priory.

Inland, ancient markers tell of Kent's illustrious history; a Viking longship where Hengist and Horsa landed, great castles at Deal, the Roman lighthouse at Dover.

Kent celebrities include Charles Dickens, Ian Fleming and E. Nesbit. Visitors enjoy the the seaside resorts of Herne Bay, Margate and Broadstairs, while to the south is Folkestone beside Romney Marsh, Lydd Airport and Dungeness.

From Dartford`s suspension bridge, by way of Rochester and Chatham, past the Isle of Sheppey along to medieval Faversham. It's history, history, history all the way .. a county almost surrounded by the sea, and ruled by its tides and weather, and reminders of the Royal Navy at almost every turn.

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THE SURREY DVD COLLECTION

East Surrey is a garden paradise, with miles of woodland, rambling paths and the most enchanting views from the many vantage points along the North Downs. It's a rich legacy of history too, once gun-powder and paper mills stood beside the river Tillingbourne. There are ancient churches that date from Saxon times, elegant mansions and picturesque cottages that dot the landscape and in the midst, the main towns of Dorking, Reigate and Redhill.

This DVD starts in the Tillingbourne Valley, from Albury and Shere, down to the equally quaint villages of Abinger Common, Buckland and Brockham. Reigate once had a castle where the barons planned the Magna Carta and an unusual church, on Reigate Heath, set in a windmill.

Nutfield, Bletchingley and Merstham are visited, also Godstone, Oxted, Lingfield and Caterham, and along the way, there's time to look at one of Surrey's most distinct landmarks, the Mormon Temple built in 1955. On then to Chaldon Church, famous for its 12th c. mural, a treasure unequalled in Europe. And finally to Epsom Downs where the green belt of Surrey ends.

West Surrey is a county rich in natural beauty and steeped in history. Discovering West Surrey starts at the historic city of Guildford, follows the river Wey to Pyrford, explores ruins of Newark Priory, visits Woking, touches the river Thames at Chertsey bridge and Shepperton, visits the site of the Magna Carta outside Egham at Runnymede and in a circular path follows the western boundary through Camberley and Farnham before crossing to Godalming.

Along the way are Brooklands Museum, once the centre of motor racing and aviation. Painshill Park at Cobham, one of the finest 18th century estates in England. Hogs Back Brewery, the Rural Life Museum at Tilford and the Watts Mortuary Chapel at Compton, perhaps one of the most extraordinary buildings to be found anywhere.

West Surrey is a county of famous writers, where James Barrie wrote Peter Pan, William Cobbett, his Rural Rides and Lewis Carroll, home of his Alice in Wonderland.

From prosperous Alton to bustling Lyndhurst, from Ringwood to King Alfred`s Winchester - the ancient capital of Wessex - to the flora and fauna of the New Forest, Hampshire is a county without equal. Countryside and river, town, village and hamlet, Hampshire is a precious gem in the British crown.

From the thatched cottages to its scarred battlements, Hampshire boasts a proud history. Famous around the world for authors including Jane Austen and Arthur Conan Doyle. Renowned for its stately homes such as Beaulieu and Breamore. This quintessentially English county is remarkable for its landscape, its history and its people.

This is a DVD exploration of Hampshire's maritime legacy. Ancient monastic ruins, regency fortifications and the finest battle ships in Britain's naval history are woven into a tapestry of harbours, estuaries and creeks that hug Hampshire's southern shore.

Follow the coastline from picturesque Emsworth, beside shimmering Langstone Harbour to busy Portsmouth. Cross the harbour to Gosport, visit Porchester Castle and enjoy the vista of the Hamble river with Southampton at a short distance. Beaulieu Abbey stands at the head of a meandering estuary and to the west, the medieval port of Lymington, once famous for its salterns.