An extremely simple and cheap method for the deposition of cadmium telluride thin films is presented. Good quality deposits were obtained on ground glass at 75 degreesC, pH 10 +/-0.3 with a deposition time of 90 min. Light grey-coloured and uniform CdTe layers, approximately 0.3 mum thick, were obtained with this process under the above deposition conditions. Compositional analysis showed CdTe films to be Cd-rich. The as-deposited layers are crystalline with a mixture of hexagonal and cubic phase structures. Microscopic observations showed some overgrowth on the spherical-type crystallites grown. Baking increases the coarseness of the material compared to the as-deposited film. Optical studies revealed a high absorption coefficient (10(4) cm(-1)) with a direct type of transition. The band-ap is estimated as 1.45 eV. The films show n-type conduction.