Our Backyard

Our Backyard was a series for pre-school children which aired at lunchtime on ITV from August 1984 until January 1987.It was produced by Granada Television.

The format was simple. The programme revolved around a fictional family consisting of Jean Burston, her real life three-year old daughter Laura Burston and actor Peter Lorenzelli as the father figure. Jean would usually take the educational lead while Peter was the comic relief and Laura's job was basically just to be cute, although whether scripted or otherwise she managed to infuriate her mother on at least one occasion. Songs of an educational nature, usually with a rock beat, were provided by The Band Next Door, similar in line-up to Rod, Jane and Freddy but with rock instruments and a more contemporary look than the Rainbow trio's beards and jumpers. A short puppet sketch featuring elderly neighbours Boris and Doris Macaroni would be featured AbOUT halfway into the episode, the two being blatantly non-English speaking stereotypes speaking very little English in strong European accents.

Peter Lorenzelli has continued as an actor while Jean Burston is now a headmistress in Stockport. Laura's current whereabouts are unknown.