The original "Jane"
Since they were first published in 1959 they have annoyed the politically correct. Ladybird's Peter and Jane books, based on teacher William Murray's theory of 'key words', sold 80 million copies worldwide and taught generations to read. But, said feminists, they stereotyped Jane as a golden-haired angel who helped Mummy with the household chores. Appearances, however, were deceptive, according to the woman who inspired the famous illustrations by Harry Wingfield.

Now revealed as the model for Jane, 44 year old Jill Ashurst admits 'I wasn't much like Jane really and I missed having an older brother like she had in Peter. I was a great tomboy back then and didn't wear dresses very often. And I remember getting really fed up with having my hair plaited for the pictures.' She became the original model for the books which captured the innocent charm of British domestic life 40 years ago when she was four. Harry Wingfield, who lived in the same street in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, was looking for two children to play the pair and thought that Jill and her friend Christopher Edwards would be perfect.

During their long summer holidays he would photograph the children doing everyday tasks around the house, such as raking the leaves or washing up. He then copied the pictures to go with the simple storylines he had been asked to illustrate. As a special needs teacher near her home in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Mrs Ashurst herself now teaches children to read. She clearly remembers her modelling assignment. And whatever political theorists may have thought she obviously emerged unscathed. 'The strangest thing was seeing a sociology exam paper at school a few years back asking if Peter and Jane were examples of social stereotyping,' says Mrs Ashurst. 'In those days, it wasn't an issue. Girls just helped mum in the kitchen while boys helped Dad in the garden. But I don't think it affected me.'

Author Mr Murray died four years ago but Mr Wingfield, 88, who still lives at his home in Sutton Coldfield, recalls the youthful Mrs Ashurst very well. 'I often look at the Pictures,' he said. 'It's wonderful to have a lastimg image of Jill as a beautiful little girl.

Article Taken from The Mail on Sunday