A BLACKBURN couple have got stars and stripes in their eyes after featuring in a television programme about buying property abroad.

Julie and Adam Dickinson were whisked away for the two-week trip of a lifetime to Kentucky, USA, to see if they could find their dream holiday home.

The popular prime-time programme A Place in the Sun will show the couple, of Coverdale Drive, Blackburn, househunting in towns including Beardstown and Red River Gorge.

The 33-year-olds trawled the area looking for suitable properties and were smitten with life in America.

They eventually put in an offer on a new property, but pulled out because they couldn't complete in time and faced steep financial penalties.

"We fell for America when we got there," said Mrs Dickinson.

"We were on a high, like two little children.

"There are lots of thoroughbred horse parks, so tourism is really taking off. It's really pretty - like South Fork was in Dallas - and there's so much to do."

While there the couple took advantage of the opportunity to do some sightseeing including a trip to the Jim Beam factory and Makers Mark distillery.

"It was the chance of a lifetime," Mrs Dickinson added.

Mr and Mrs Dickinson are now planning to return to Kentucky at Easter to renew their search.

"We want to go back and pick something more American with a porch and a swing," she said.

"We were introduced to four or five estate agents and are going to keep in touch with them and tell them exactly what we are looking for. And we're going to make sure we have a solicitor in place so if we have to complete quickly we can."

The programme is set to be screened at 4pm on Channel 4 on Monday, November 3.