TRIBUTES have been flooding in for Danger Mouse creator Mark Hall after he died at his Cheshire home following a short illness, aged 75.

Mark Hall, who used to live in Brooklands, and college friend Brian Cosgrove enjoyed success with Danger Mouse, voiced by actor David Jason, Count Duckula, Wind in the Willows and Chorlton and the Wheelies.

Mark and Brian formed animation company Cosgrove Hall Films in Chorlton in 1976 and created Danger Mouse, which starred a white mouse as a comical super sleuth.

It first aired in Britain on ITV in 1981 and was a huge success, running until 1992.

The pair retired in the early 2000s but reformed their company under the name Cosgrove Hall Fitzpatrick Entertainment this year and are producing new animations such as Pip, a show aimed at pre-school children.

Adrian Wilkins, operations director at Cosgrove Hall Fitzpatrick Entertainment, said: “Mark was one of life's real gentlemen and it's wonderful he got to see his company reborn.”

He added that Mark’s son Simon intends to continue his father’s work with Brian. Mark is survived by his wife Margaret and two children.

Mark was born in Wakefield and after he married Margaret they lived in Sale in the 1960s and then again from 1986 to 2000 just off Brooklands Road before moving to Cheshire.

The funeral service for Mark will take place from 1pm on December 2 at The Avenue Methodist Church, Wincham Road, Sale, to be followed by a private committal.

Family flowers only and donations to Francis House Children's Hospice or cheques to Ian Clarke Funeral Services, 151 Northenden Road, Sale Moor, Cheshire, M33 2HS.

VINCENT James is an Ashton-on-Mersey animation artist who is waiting to see if he will scoop the prize for Children’s Animation at this Sunday’s Children’s BAFTAS.

He was nominated for his work on Lord of the Rings parody Muddle Earth, starring David Jason as Randalf.

Vincent, of Green Lane, trained in his craft at Cosgrove Hall Films 25 years ago, working on Count Duckula and since then Roary The Racing Car, voiced by Peter Kay.

The 48-year-old said: “Mark came to visit the Muddle Earth set last year and that was the last time I saw him. He was a talented animator and a lovely man. I was so upset to hear this news.”

Vincent now works alongside son Ryan, aged 22, at recently formed production company Factory Transmedia, on Tribune Avenue, in Broadheath.

PETER Saunders and Ian Mackinnon, who set up at Oldfield Brow animation company Mackinnon and Saunders in the 1990s, were once employed at Cosgrove Hall in the puppet department.

Peter, who worked on Jim Henson film The Dark Crystal, said: “It has been an enormous shock to hear that Mark Hall has passed away today.

“Both Ian and myself had the good fortune to know Mark when we were employed at Cosgrove Hall. He was an exceptional person to work for, a great creative talent but also a very generous and considerate employer who treated his staff with respect and great affection.”

Mackinnon and Saunders have worked on movies including Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride and Mars Attacks and Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr Fox.

COSGROVE Hall classics included: The BFG, Brambly Hedge, Chorlton and the Wheelies, Count Duckula, Noddy’s Toyland Adventures, Danger Mouse, Peter and the Wolf, Postman Pat, Roary the Racing Car and The Wind in the Willows.

TWITTER tributes to Mark Hall: Jamie Austin Sad news that Mark Hall of Cosgrove Hall has died, co-creator of the soundtrack to my childhood; 'Jay-meh, JAY-MEH'

TeamVitty: Comedy Dave Fans RIP Mark Hall (half of Cosgrove hall) RT if u ever watched Danger Mouse or Count Duckula!

MotionGraphix: Paul Woodward Mark Hall of Cosgrove Hall has died aged 75. Some good times served up by them as a kid and one of my inspirations when young.

Denofgeek: Den Of Geek Very sad to hear of the death of Mark Hall, of Cosgrove Hall. He leaves behind Danger Mouse, Duckula, and so much more.

MrWhaite Very sad to hear about the death of my old boss Mark Hall (the Hall in Cosgrove Hall) Top childrens TV producer and all round lovely bloke.