Lancashire and Greater Manchester will be the focus in an upcoming episode of a popular BBC documentary series as Michael Portillo heads out again across the region.

The former MP turned TV presenter, who has presented Great British Railway Journeys since its creation in 2010, has created a new series which will focus on the North West.

The first episode in the 14th series will see Michael travel from Preston across to Rawtenstall, looking at Blackburn’s political past and popping into the East Lancashire Railway in Bury along his way.

Speaking about the episode, the BBC said: “Michael Portillo strikes out to explore the Britain of his youth. He’s a ‘boomer’, born in the decade after the end of the Second World War, and he recalls the optimism and excitement of rebuilding a nation exhausted by conflict.

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“At Preston’s Fulwood Barracks in Lancashire, Michael is called up for National Service but fails to impress the drill sergeant. Two veterans share their memories of postwar military action.

“At the Preston Bypass, now part of the M6, he heard how the pioneering project aimed to tackle congestion and links the north of England to the south.

“In Blackburn, Michael investigates the town’s political heritage and its fiery red-headed MP, Barbara Castle.

“At Bury Bolton Street Station in Greater Manchester, Michael meets the volunteers who operate the fabulously preserved East Lancashire Heritage Railway and learns how the Beeching cuts affected rail services in the area.”

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The episode is the first in the new series as Michael travels east from Preston, with episode five, the last to be announced currently, seeing him travel from Bradford to Hebden Bridge.

The Preston to Rawtenstall episode will air at 6.30pm on the evening of Monday, June 19, and will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer shortly after broadcast.