The British publisher of the Miffy books – the white rabbit known as Nijntje in her Dutch homeland – is to update a number of the books ‘to appeal to a modern British audience’.

The first Miffy book was written in 1955 and the stories have now been translated into 50 languages. Some 85 million copies of the books have been sold and the brand is said to generate €175m a year in revenue, much of it from merchandising.

Now, the original rhyming verse to be revamped by award-winning poet Tony Mitton for British children. Miffy, Miffy at the Gallery and Miffy at the Zoo are the first titles to get a facelift and are scheduled for release in February 2014.

Bruna, now 86, is still creating Miffy stories, the Independent said.