Nation to Be Dazzled by The Dales

A new TV series about life in the Yorkshire Dales will see a boom in visitors this summer, tourism chiefs predict.

A real-life Vicar of Dibley, a community-run pub and an isolated farming family are just some of the characters who will take to our screens in ITV1's The Dales which starts on Monday. (March 28)

The new 12-part series will see Bradford-born Adrian Edmondson return to his roots to tell the stories behind a summer in the Yorkshire Dales.

Last night saw the stars of the show, producers, council officials and tourism bosses gather at The Station Cinema in Richmond for a sneak preview of what looks set to be a smash hit series.

From the Wensleydale Railway to the Great Yorkshire Show, The Dales will give viewers a taste of some of Yorkshire's most treasured attractions.

It also follows the lives of people living in the Dales and showcases some of the communities.

Jackie Stubbs, who co-runs the community-owned George & Dragon pub in Hudswell, said: "We think that this will bring thousands of extra people to the Yorkshire Dales.

"The programme is going to be a huge boost for communities across the Dales; particularly for those little villages which rely on tourism."

Cameras also follow a real life Vicar of Dibley Ann Chapman, from Wensleydale, who runs four separate churches – including one with a congregation of six.

She said: "They filmed quite a few events that we have in the church and in the area. People will see that it's an interesting place to be and it's a great place to visit!"

Others filmed included shepherdess Amanda Owen, who runs one of the most isolated farms in the Yorkshire Dales with husband Clive. They balance running their 900-strong sheep farm in Swaledale while bringing up five young children – the youngest is only four weeks old.

The Dales will follow on from the hugely successful series The Lakes fronted by Rory McGrath.

The series has regularly pulled in over 4m viewers and after the first episode alone, one hotel saw a massive increase in hits on its website as well as taking bookings for weddings from viewers.

Welcome to Yorkshire played a vital role during the making of the series - assisting the production team - and is hoping for a boom in national interest after it's aired.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said: "What better exposure for our glorious Yorkshire Dales than being on prime time TV across every household in Britain for the next 12 weeks!

"We think the public will fall in love with our iconic landscape and the great characters that feature in the series, there can be no better way to showcase Yorkshire than this!"

Adrian Edmondson who presents the series used to spend many of his childhood summers in the Yorkshire Dales.

Many local companies such as The Angel's Share bakery, Archer's Jersey Ice Cream, Lacey's Cheese, Richmond Brewing Co, Velvet Heaven, Elizabeth Smedley and the Seasons Restaurant as well as the Station Cinema, helped to stage the special screening at the Station in Richmond.

The Dales will be screened on Mondays from March 28 at 8pm on ITV1.