AN HISTORIC Ribble Valley hotel is the setting for a new six-part comedy series which starts on the BBC tonight.

The Trip, starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon and directed by Blackburn born film-maker Michael Winterbottom, launches with an episode centred on the Inn At Whitewell.

It is a largely improvised, food-based tour of Lancashire, the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, with Coogan playing a Sunday newspaper food critic and Brydon his companion.

Dating back to the 1700s, the inn, on the banks of the river Hodder, has spectacular views of the valley and the Bowland area.

Managing director Charles Bowman said he would be ‘watching with interest’ and was hoping the slice of small screen exposure might encourage more visitors.

He said: “Michael Winterbottom and his family have been here many times and they are lovely people.

“Being a local chap I think he knows the best places to go to. Some of the staff went to London for a preview and loved it. They said it was really funny.”

The crew filmed for four days at the Inn and featured regulars and staff in some scenes.

The Trip is on BBC2 at 10pm tonight.