The Sunday night ritual of recording the top 40 countdown on a cassette is the simple childhood pleasure which modern parents most miss for their own youngsters.

Writing letters to pen pals and gathering round the TV to watch Top Of The Pops are also much lamented memories of a bygone era, according to a new survey.

The nostalgia list was commissioned for the premiere of new series Girl Meets World, which follows 1990s series Boy Meets World and will be screened by the Disney Channel from September 12.

More than half (52%) of the 2,000 parents who took part said they pined for the much simpler childhoods experienced by those growing up in the 90s.

Other prized but superseded relics of the past include waiting for photographs to be developed and renting videos from a local shop. They also long for the days when they could make plans which were not subject to change due to the use of mobile phones.

Almost half of those polled (48.9%) reckon the music created in the 90s is superior to the music of today.

Anna Hill, general manager of Disney UK said: "The findings reveal that many of us would dearly love to share our own experiences of childhood with our children."

:: Top 10 things which parents most miss for their own children:

1. Make tape recordings of weekly top 40

2. Having pen pals

3. Watching Top of the Pops

4. Buying singles on cassette or vinyl

5. Hand written thank you notes

6. Waiting for photos to be developed

7. Watching Saturday night TV with the family

8. 90s toys

9. Renting videos from the local shop

10. Making solid plans (which do not change as a result of mobile communications)