The Prisoner: The Village Files by Tim Palgut (Titan Books, £19.99)

IT's startling how a television programme can seep into a nation's psyche.

Thirty-five years ago - 35! - actor Patrick McGoohan stepped out of his role as smooth Bond-esque John Drake of Danger Man, into that of a secret agent revoking his licence to spy.

In each episode of The Prisoner, McGoohan, known only as Number 6, tried to escape from the bizarre, hi-tech complex known as the Village.

Number 2 - who regularly changed persona, lived under the Green Dome. Number 1 was... well, who was Number 1?

All means of escape from the Village were thwarted by a big balloon called Rover (Reactive Orange-alert Vigilant Enforce-R) and each week, the dialogue went roughly thus: "Where am I? In the Village. What do you want? Information. You won't get it. By hook or by crook... we will. Who is Number 1? You are Number 6. I am not a number, I am a free man."

Sir Clough Williams-Ellis's Italianate Portmerion on the North Wales coast was the perfect location for the Village and looking at episodes now, it all seems very 60s kitsch - although the dark theme still rings true.

Canadian computer graphic artist and photographer Palgut has devised this companions' guide for its legion of fans.

It's a manual of the layout of the Village, concealed camera installations, plans of buildings, plans under buildings, Rover attack patterns, Number 6's house and even a copy of his personal file.

Just as the series was surreal, so is this book.

Be seeing you.

David Chapman