LOCAL legends, the Sabden Treacle Miners, have made a bid for national fame with their own TV series, hitting the airwaves in May.

Pendle's furry friends, the brainchild of Bill Dewhurst and his family, have entertained tourists for eleven years and a contract with London Weekend Television will open the audience up to children all over Britain.

The idea was inspired by medieval stories of magical mines that contained cures. Bill, his wife and two children imagined what creatures could live in this underground fantasy world and came up with fluffy characters like Leyland Lil and twins Oswald and Wizzle.

They are now set to star in a 13-part series on ITV, animated much like 'Postman Pat', where the stories will cover the day when the ginger beer spring runs dry and miner Rosie discovers a treacle-eating boggart under her bed.

The tales will bring to the screen several local landmarks including Pendle Hill and will feature regional delicacies such as black puddings (which of course grow on trees!).

The series, titled 'The Treacle People', has been seen as a boost for Lancashire's tourism industry, raising the profile of the region. David Nelson, Head of the Lancashire Film and Television Office, joined councillors in congratulating the creative Dewhurst clan.

"It's not just the TV series but the spin-off business such as merchandising which will bring in money and visitors to Lancashire," he said.

And hang on to your toy treacle miners as Bill will pass on the merchandising to a major manufacturer later this year, making the original, handmade dolls a collector's item in years to come with fans all over the country.

Bill is pictured with Leyland Lil, among the stars of the TV series.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.