AN HISTORIC Lancashire hotel is to feature in a new gastronomic television comedy directed by Blackburn-born filmaker Michael Winterbottom.

The Trip, starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, launches with an episode centred on the Ribble Valley’s Inn At Whitewell.

The six-part show is a largely improvised, food-based tour of Lancashire, the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales.

In the series, Coogan plays a Sunday newspaper food critic, while Gavin and Stacey star Brydon is his companion.

The style of the series is said to be similar to US hit Curb Your Enthusiasm, with the characters being fictional, but based around the actors’ real personalities.

In the first culinary adventure the pair dine at the Inn at Whitewell, a few miles north of Clitheroe.

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: “We were only too pleased to welcome the cast and crew here.

“They were shooting for four days among real diners and some of our staff were used in scenes too.

“In fact a couple of them have been invited to London to attend a preview screening, so I expect them to come back with notions of being Tom Cruise or Cameron Diaz.

“I’ll be very excited to see the finished programme.”

Mr Bowman added that he hoped the national exposure could help attract more visitors to the area.

“A common image of Lancashire, especially in the south, is of mill towns and factories, which are fine”, he said.

“But there’s so much more, including the wonderful unspoilt countryside around in this area.”

Michael Winterbottom, 49, has a history of successful collaborations with Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan, including A Cock And Bull Story and 24 Hour Party People.

The former Queen Elizabeth Grammar School pupil has directed a string of acclaimed films, including the controversial 9 Songs and cut his teeth in the television world with classics such as Cracker and Boon.

Other restaurants featured in the series include Hipping Hall in Kirby Lonsdale and two Lake District eateries, Holbeck Ghyll and L’Enculme.

The Trip begins its run on BBC2 next month.