Dad's Army (Left-Right) Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier

Suffolk-based comedy legend David Croft has died at his holiday home in Portugal aged 89.

Writer David Croft at his home in Honington, near Bury St Edmunds

The creator of such television classics as Dad’s Army, Hi-de-Hi, ‘Allo, ‘Allo and Are You Being Served died peacefully in his sleep according to his family.

In a message posted on his web site his family said: “The family of comedy legend David Croft OBE are sad to report that David died peacefully in his sleep at his house in Portugal earlier today. He was a truly great man, who will be missed by all who had the great fortune of knowing and loving him. We know that he would of been proud that you had all been watching.”

David, who lived for most of his life at Honington Hall, near Bury St Edmunds, famously arranged for his hit television series to be filmed in East Anglia so he could work from home.

Dad’s Army was shot on location in and around Thetford while the classic holiday camp series Hi-de-Hi was filmed at Dovercourt. He was one of the few writers who also directed his own shows.

David Croft was famous for his “You Have Been Watching” photo captions at the end of his shows. In addition to his own series, he produced the Frankie Howerd series Up Pompeii scripted by Carry-On writer Talbot Rothwell.

But for many Dad’s Army will remain his masterwork. It was a towering achievement which is still being screened 40 years on.