ACTORS Michael French and James Bolam have turned the clock back 50 years inside an old disused mill for a new BBC1 family drama.

The makers of Heart of the Valley have rented the former Lower Mill premises at Hollymount House, The Fold, St Mary's Way, Rawtenstall, from express delivery firm Amtrak to film scenes.

The stars, who made their names in EastEnders and The Likely Lads respectively, play doctors Arthur and Tom Gilder in Heart of the Valley, set in the fictional Lancashire village of Ormston in 1950.

Arthur (Bolam) has lived in the village all his life but misses his family and is ready to hand over the reins of his GP practice to his son Tom (French). Tom moves back to the village, bringing with him his wife Deborah (Jenna Russell) and children Helen (Charlotte Salt), Michael (Ross Little), Catherine (Polly Thompson) and baby Philip.

But Arthur does not want to embrace the sense of dynamism and change for a new age brought to the village by Tom's city ways.

Arthur knows all the village residents of the tight-knit community and is highly respected by them. The Rev Brewer is played by Clive Swift, Hyacinth Bucket's long-suffering husband Richard in Keeping Up Appearances.

Naomi Radcliffe, who played Kevin Webster's second wife Alison in Coronation Street, plays Jean, who is infatuated with the village mechanic. Tom takes on more than he bargains for by moving back to Ormston. Firstly he faces battles at the surgery and cottage hospital as Arthur tries to cling on to old-fashioned, tried and tested ways of doing things. But Tom is determined that the hospital should adapt or die. Written by Chris Chibnall , the series boasts an impressive list of guest stars. Episode one stars Roger Lloyd Pack (Trigger in Only Fools and Horses) and episode two features Denise Welsh (Natalie Barnes in Coronation Street).

Filming for the series, expected to occupy a Sunday evening slot some time next year, has been taking place in and around Downham and Rawtenstall.

Jane Tranter, controller of drama commissioning, said: "Heart of the Valley is a true family drama, a treat for everyone. Its story-telling is warm, familiar and based on a strong sense of community.

"The characters are as rich a mix as one is likely to meet and it is set in one of the most glorious landscapes in Britain."

A spokesperson for Amtrack said: "The BBC have rented the listed building off us until Christmas. The BBC have transformed the building which isn't used by us with their props -- it looks like a different place inside now."