WITH animals around the UK beginning to line up in pairs as the monsoon season continues, we need TV to remind us that Britain is indeed a beautiful place.

Now in its third season, Coast on BBC2 has set new standards for photography - no wonder the Beeb uses it to promote its High Definition service.

And it's such a simple idea too. A team of genuine enthusiasts head round the country unearthing unusual facts as they go.

Umbrella man Nicholas Crane may no longer be the lead presenter but in Ross Noble look-alike Neil Oliver, they have found a more than adequate replacement.

The reason Coast works so well is partly because it is so interesting - production companies take note, a bit of substance never did anyone any harm - partly because of the pleasure the presenters get from being involved but chiefly because of the stunning scenery.

You suspect that you would still get a great hour's viewing just looking at the pictures as helicopters give unseen aerial glimpses of our landscape.

There are so many different variants that the producers could work on for future series. How about Rivers or Forests or if Gordon Brown has anything to do with it, maybe a series entitled New Housing Estates?

It's just nice to be able to sit back and know that you've got an hour of quality ahead of you.