The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) features in a new four-part series hosted by 'national treasure' Pam Ayres, being aired by Channel 5 from today (September 17) at 8pm.

The railway is covered in the third programme of the series on Friday, October 1. It chronicles Pam's visit earlier this year when she took a round trip over the line, starting from Toddington station, calling at Winchcombe, Cheltenham Racecourse and back via Broadway, chatting to volunteers along the way.

Catherine Johnson, the railway's marketing manager, said: "Pam was absolutely delightful to work with and had a kind word for everyone she met. In developing the series with production company True North, she really wanted to include the railway as she has visited us on a few occasions before."

In each episode Pam explores beyond the picture-postcard images of the Cotswolds, drawing on her local knowledge to explore the region's gems as she chats to people, like her, who call the area their home.

Pam Ayres commented: "I was delighted to be asked to present the series. I have travelled a lot in my life but there is nowhere as beautiful and green and lush as the Cotswolds. I love the place and I love the people."

This clearly came over as the film crew spent a day on the railway with Pam Ayres, as well as paying visits before and after filming.

Catherine Johnson added: "With her cheeky smile and sense of humour, Pam is the perfect guide to all the wonderful places in the Cotswolds. She was especially impressed with the fact that the railway has been built up from a derelict 15-mile-long strip of land into the vibrant, exciting Cotswolds attraction that it is today and I'm sure that will come over on the October 1 programme, which features our lovely line!"

'The Cotswolds with Pam Ayres' is on Channel 5, 8pm Fridays from tonight (September 17).