MUCH-loved pensioner puppet Old Man Stan has risen from the dead to cheer up the people of Basildon.

Stan has attracted a cult following through a string of YouTube videos, where he sings his own words poking gentle fun at Basildon to classic pop tunes.

The last video, which was uploaded to the internet site in October, featured the cantankerous puppet dying of a broken heart, because he was so angry with the council’s lack of support for the arts in the town.

The latest release, which was uploaded on to YouTube over the festive season, is in two parts.

In the first, Stan meets a fairy in a heavenly place, who tells him his time has not yet come, because he has a lot more work to do making people laugh across Basildon. She brings him back to life.

The second video features him back on form, singing his own words to the tune of Slade’s classic Merry Christmas.

But Basildon Council chiefs said there is plenty to be proud of in the town, and urged the team behind the video to come up with something more productive.

Kevin Blake, councillor responsible for leisure and arts, said: “Have these people got nothing better to do than take the mickey out of Basildon and run down our town?

“Taking into account this was initially a campaign to get an arts festival, all they seem to want to do is continually criticise the council.

“It’s an enormous shame that a group of clearly talented people can’t put their talents to better use and demonstrate what a great town Basildon is.”

One of the puppeteers, Steve Waters, 41, from Basildon, said: “We put a lot of hard work into this one. Stan blew his entire winter heating allowance on special effects! It’s a continuation of the story and there’s a couple of good gags at the council’s expense.”

The new videos are called Old Man Stan Bazzo Christmas Part One and Two.