A method of deriving a plurality of most probable mode values for encoding or decoding of an intra prediction mode related to a current coding unit, the method comprising: deriving first and second most probable mode values from respective prediction modes of at least two neighbouring coding units of the current coding unit; and deriving a third most probable mode value using the first and second most probable mode values, wherein: the number of the plurality of most probable mode values, for encoding or decoding of a mode value representing an intra prediction mode related to a current coding unit, is three; deriving the third most probable mode value comprises, checking whether one of the first and second most probable modes is a planar prediction mode, when one of the first and second most probable modes is the planar prediction mode, checking whether one of the first and second most probable mode is a DC prediction mode, and when one of the first and second most probable modes is the DC prediction mode, the third most probable mode is set to a vertical prediction mode; deriving the first and second most probable mode values comprises checking whether the prediction modes of the at least two neighbouring coding units of the current coding unit are the same or different, and when they are the same and equal to one of the planar prediction mode or the DC prediction mode, the first and second most probable modes are respectively set to the planar prediction mode and the DC prediction mode; and the three most probable mode values are used in that order for the encoding or decoding of the mode value to be encoded or decoded. deriving first and second most probable mode values from respective prediction modes of at least two neighbouring coding units of the current coding unit; and deriving a third most probable mode value using the first and second most probable mode values, wherein: the number of the plurality of most probable mode values, for encoding or decoding of a mode value representing an intra prediction mode related to a current coding unit, is three; deriving the third most probable mode value comprises, checking whether one of the first and second most probable modes is a planar prediction mode, when one of the first and second most probable modes is the planar prediction mode, checking whether one of the first and second most probable mode is a DC prediction mode, and when one of the first and second most probable modes is the DC prediction mode, the third most probable mode is set to a vertical prediction mode; deriving the first and second most probable mode values comprises checking whether the prediction modes of the at least two neighbouring coding units of the current coding unit are the same or different, and when they are the same and equal to one of the planar prediction mode or the DC prediction mode, the first and second most probable modes are respectively set to the planar prediction mode and the DC prediction mode; and the three most probable mode values are used in that order for the encoding or decoding of the mode value to be encoded or decoded. the number of the plurality of most probable mode values, for encoding or decoding of a mode value representing an intra prediction mode related to a current coding unit, is three; deriving the third most probable mode value comprises, checking whether one of the first and second most probable modes is a planar prediction mode, when one of the first and second most probable modes is the planar prediction mode, checking whether one of the first and second most probable mode is a DC prediction mode, and when one of the first and second most probable modes is the DC prediction mode, the third most probable mode is set to a vertical prediction mode; checking whether one of the first and second most probable modes is a planar prediction mode, when one of the first and second most probable modes is the planar prediction mode, checking whether one of the first and second most probable mode is a DC prediction mode, and when one of the first and second most probable modes is the DC prediction mode, the third most probable mode is set to a vertical prediction mode; deriving the first and second most probable mode values comprises checking whether the prediction modes of the at least two neighbouring coding units of the current coding unit are the same or different, and when they are the same and equal to one of the planar prediction mode or the DC prediction mode, the first and second most probable modes are respectively set to the planar prediction mode and the DC prediction mode; and the three most probable mode values are used in that order for the encoding or decoding of the mode value to be encoded or decoded.