Sal is feisty and determined and loves being the centre of the busy town community. She is used to not having a minute to herself and is happy to help in anyone's hour of need, whether it is dishing out prescriptions or straightforward common sense. She usually knows what people really need, whether they want to hear it or not. She is often exasperated by her daughter but loves her family dearly and when her husband, Mike, dies she finds it is other people who don't know how to deal with the grief, although she is coping fine - after all, Mike was thinking of retiring anyway!

Tip is Sal's best friend, her partner in crime and, as the surgery's bossy receptionist with a unique filing system, she knows everyone's ailments and intimate details. Tip is always up for a laugh and ever ready to nip down the pub for some alcoholic relief from the day's work/gossip.

Eileen is the leader of the Women's Guild and proud to wear her chains of office at every meeting. She likes to keep things very constitutional but she is adamant it's not all 'jam and Jerusalem'. She is ever trying to recruit new members - when not organising craft mornings or new and interesting Guild outings - and she takes her role very seriously indeed.

Tash is Sal's hippy daughter, always concerned with the lack of recycling in the town and never able to hold a job down. With her young son Raph in tow, Tash is always trying out some new way to save the planet, or trying to get on a course to study circus skills - anything not to join the rat race!

James is the exact opposite of his sister - he is a doctor and the sensible one of the family - and finds his sister irritating and childish. When his dad dies and he becomes the new GP, he is looking forward to his new place in the community.

Yasmeen is James' equally as sensible wife, but taking on the role of practice nurse isn't really her cup of tea – being quite sensitive to bodily functions, she isn't exactly the right type of person for the job.

Rosie is someone that everyone in the Guild looks out for. She is sweet and well-meaning and works in the local cheese factory. She sometimes suffers from a mental health disorder which can mean her alter ego Margaret coming to the forefront - and Margaret is quite an unwelcome force to be reckoned with!

Caroline is a very busy lady of the country and when not horse riding or going to Madonna's for the evening she's always on the lookout for someone to do the school run. She sometimes brings her children to Guild meetings because quite frankly she can't do everything.

The vicar is a grumpy but very traditional man of the church who is always at his wits' end with his parishioners. He detests the fact that his church has been upholstered by the Guild and their 'craft', from hymn book covers to wall hangings, and often needs reminding what 'community spirit' is all about.

Queenie is the local and quite ineffective lollipop lady, but is always on hand to help out the Guild and offer a kind word.

Kate is the local Grievance Group visitor and, although very chirpy and well-meaning, is still wallowing in widowhood - after all, it has only been five years - so she joins the Guild to find some company.

Delilah is an outspoken and slightly eccentric old lady, and when not off to town to buy a tomato can be found playing the organ (very badly indeed) in the church or getting into a pickle with the local fire brigade.