A STRETCH of road near Whiddon Down is to be closed for one day next week to film a dramatic stunt sequence for the BBC countryside series Down To Earth.

The C50 road between Whiddon Down and Cheriton Bishop will be closed between the Hittisleigh turning and Bakesdown at Whiddon Down next Wednesday, October 1.

The stunt sequence will be the climax to filming in Devon, which has included shoots at a number of locations in the area.

Martin Robinson, location manager for Down to Earth said the sequence involved a guest character who arrives on the farm in suspicious circumstances being threatened as he drives along, by another motorist who appears to have a gun. The sequence ends with the vehicle going off the road.

Mr Robinson said another of the locations which had been used for this series was the Red Lion Inn at Exbourne which had been transformed into the Black Bull, the fictional pub which serves as a focal point for much of the action in the show. The Red Lion was used for interior filming.

This series of the BBC1 show also sees some new characters introduced including roles for Royle Family star Ricky Tomlinson and former Coronation Street actress Denise Welch.

After the last day of filming in Devon, some remaining filming will be done in London to complete the show.

Mr Robinson said viewers can expect to see the series on their screens in February next year.

On the day of the filming, an alternative route will be in operation via the A30 trunk road.