Millions will see glories of Beverley Minster

TEN million viewers will be switched on to Beverley when two prime-time BBC television shows feature the town's iconic Minster.

The Antiques Roadshow and Songs Of Praise, both long-running Sunday shows, are to be recorded at the town's top tourist attraction in May.

It is understood to be the first time the BBC has lined up recordings of the two popular shows at one venue.

While in Beverley, BBC crews are expected to shoot footage for other prestigious programmes, including a history show featuring David Dimbleby.

The moves are being hailed as a major tourism coup for the town as it will showcase Beverley's historic charms to a huge national audience.

The Antiques Roadshow attracts some six million viewers, while the BBC's flagship religious programme Songs Of Praise has an audience of more than three million.

Beverley Minster virger Neil Pickford said: "It's a huge coup and fantastically important for the town. Beverley is an undiscovered gem.

"Many people who visit the Minster and casually wander into Beverley tell us they never knew it was here, they just stopped because they saw the building.

"These programmes will let millions more people know about the glories of the Minster and that can only be a good thing for the town."

The national exposure is also expected to boost Beverley's chances of being picked as a location for other TV programmes and films.

Mr Pickford revealed the town had narrowly missed out on being selected as one of the locations for the period drama Crusoe, which starred Sam Neill in 2008.

He said: "We have had location scouts visit for a number of films and have been shortlisted for several. Hopefully, this will lead to more, which will help put Beverley on the national map."

The BBC's film crews are expected to spend about two weeks in Beverley in May, which will see up to half a dozen outside broadcast trucks parked around the Minster.

Thousands of people are expected to queue up to have their family heirlooms valued by leading fine arts and antiques experts for the Antiques Roadshow recording on Friday, May 14.

The pews in the Minster, which seat 400 people, will have to be cleared for the show, which is presented by Fiona Bruce.

The recording date for Songs Of Praise, which is likely to be filmed on a week day, has yet to be fixed.

The Antiques Roadshow has previously visited The Spa at Bridlington and Hornsea Leisure Centre in the East Riding.

Mr Pickford said: "They don't visit many churches because they need a very large area and most churches are not able to accommodate them. It's a huge project."