CAMERA crews from Channel 4 descended on Chapel Cleeve Manor as it opened its doors as a visitor attraction for one day only last Friday.

As part of the series Country House Rescue, visitors were invited to discover the 15th century house's haunted past via a specially-organised ghost tour on the West Somerset Railway (WSR).

Actors boarded the train at Washford Station to help bring the day to life before people were transported by bus to the house, where its first day open to the public was caught on film.

The trial day was a step by owner Jeannie Wilkins towards her desire to reopen the manor, share it with the local community and bring the estate back to life.

General manager of WSR, Paul Conibeare, said: “We were delighted with how it went - both the tours sold out and the feedback from customers was very positive.

“It will be great to see the railway and the house on the television later in the year and if there was a possibility of this becoming a more permanent arrangement we would be thrilled to be a part of it.”

The programme will be screened this summer.