IT LOOKS like Blackadder star Tony Robinson has a cunning plan to capture West Cumbrian life after he was spotted filming a documentary.

The 69-year-old historian and comedy star took to Cleator Moor and St Bees at the weekend to make scotch eggs and interview bell-ringers.

St Bees resident, Chris Robson, was interviewed about the village's parish church and said he was told the documentary for Channel 5 will attempt to capture life in communities along some of the countries most well-known walks.

Mr Robson said: "I think the idea is to not focus on the walk itself but the communities and places. They were speaking to bell-ringers and local residents. I think they took a boat out and they went to film up on the cliffs at St Bees Head."

Mr Robson said he believes that his particular segment of the show is about the Coast to Coast walk.

The next stop was Cleator Moor, for the presenter and he tried his hand at making scotch eggs in the town's Pie & Mash Shop.

Cleator Moor Town Council clerk, Helen Gilmour, had been contacted by the show's producers in the weeks leading up to the filming.

She said: "They wanted to know what the town was known for and I mentioned lots of historical things, but they wanted to know if there was a particular speciality food in the town, so I mentioned pies!"

The producers then contacted the local Pie & Mash Shop, which also makes many different types of scotch eggs.

Dave Farrell, Cleator Moor Chamber of Trade chairman, said he heard Mr Robinson was in town and went to have a chat with him.

"He was a very nice bloke," said Mr Farrell. "He was very complimentary about the shop and the area in general. I told him that Blackadder was my favourite comedy show and he was very humble about it."