BORN and Bred, the TV drama set in the Ribble Valley, has been axed by the BBC.

Bosses confirmed the drama, which was partly filmed in Downham, would not return for a fifth series.

The programme, which has been sold to TV stations across the world, had averaged around seven million viewers a week.

It had proved popular in America, Australia, Holland, Poland, Spain and Iran.

It was based around two doctors in the 1950s village of Ormston and at the time of its launch was described as a 'warm family drama'.

Stars included Richard Wilson, Nigel Havers, Maggie Steed, Michael French and James Bolam.

A spokesman for the BBC said: "Born and Bred has been a hugely successful drama but it has reached a natural conclusion and will not be returning."

The show is estimated to have generated more than £6million for the Lancashire economy in the four years it was shot in the county.

Rebecca Kay, arts and tourism officer at Ribble Valley Council, said: "It's sad to see it go but I'm sure it will leave a legacy. It has been a massive success for tourism and we're sure that will continue."

Much of the first and second series was filmed in Lancashire -- with outside scenes recorded in Downham and indoor scenes shot at a warehouse in Rossendale.

But after that warehouse was sold, internal scenes moved to a studio in London, reducing the amount of time the crew and stars spent in Lancashire.

The first three series ran on a Sunday night, in a slot which ITV had normally dominated with shows such as Where The Heart Is and Heartbeat, but it was moved to a Wednesday evening.

Chris Chibnall, the show's creator, said: "There won't be a fifth series.

"The 36 episodes will be the whole story of Ormston life. Anybody pining for more will have to be content with re-runs on UK Gold and the joys of DVD.

"Perhaps it was a mistake to move it to Wednesdays, a lot of people have mentioned that, and maybe it wasn't a show that played best in the summer. Maybe we'd run out of steam. But we had a good run.

"So many people took the time to visit Downham and we take our hats off to the residents who made us feel so welcome over the years."

He added he was disappointed the show had not ended with a 'happy ending' but added: "We didn't know we were making the final episode and I didn't have a brief to tie up loose ends."