Cumbria's own Helen Skelton has brought hit BBC show Countryfile back to the county to explore one of the area's most popular beauty spots.

Watchtree Nature Reserve, to the west of Carlisle, is the focus of an upcoming programme to set to be aired on Sunday, February 5.

Producers are working on a special bird-themed episode and were attracted to the nature reserve after hearing about a striking starling murmuration that gathers there.

"We have an estimated 50,000 starlings roosting here. It's pretty impressive to see," said Ryan Dobson, Watchtree's access and recreation officer.

The BBC camera crew arrived to film the episode on Wednesday and while they were at the reserve they discovered there was far more to the site than natural beauty.

"They started to see more about what we do for people with disabilities and enabling access. They met some of our riders from Watchtree Wheelers and the show will be more about how we enable access to nature," Ryan added.

"We are delighted with them coming. It's great exposure for us, unbelievable really.

"It's a good time of year for us too as we're coming back into spring. This could mean a really successful year for us.

Presenter Helen, who is originally from Kirkby Thore near Penrith, interviewed Ryan about the cycling operation and the different types of users who regularly visit Watchtree.

Frank Mawby, one of the charity's directors, told the programme about the army of volunteers helping out at the reserve and the vast array of bird life people can see there.

The show also interviewed user Deborah Dearden, a user of the site, who has been helped by Ryan and his team to realise her exploration dream.

Deborah Dearden moved from Manchester to Cumbria about 30 years ago so she could bring up her family in the country but soon after she was struck down by illness.

Watchtree held a demonstration day of some all-terrain wheelchairs and her daughter Francesca set about fundraising to buy her one.

Wheelers member Alan Gillespie was also interviewed by the programme.