Volunteers restoring the canal near Chippenham will share their achievements with a national audience after being filmed for TV series Escape to the Country.

Members of the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust are to feature in an episode of the BBC One programme, which helps prospective buyers find their dream home in the country and features local attractions.

They hope it will lead to a flood of interest across the UK in their campaign to bring the canal back to life.

Television presenter Alastair Appleton spent a morning at Pewsham Locks, interviewing volunteers and learning about the charity’s history. He even helped to rebuild part of the wharf wall at the base of the locks.

Among those interviewed were trust secretary Chris Coyle, vice-chairman Kath Hatton and local branch chairman Derek Flexer.

Mr Coyle said: “We are absolutely delighted that national programme-makers have heard about the canal and want to use it as an example of why someone might want to move here. It reflects the increasing interest in our waterways and how they’re an amazing asset for the local community and a popular attraction for visitors.

“We showed the remains of the flight of locks and the adjacent dry-dock, which we hope to restore as a heritage and education centre, and then the beautifully rebuilt section further to the south.

“It was a hugely enjoyable experience and we can hardly wait to see the finished programme.”

Production company Boundless, part of FremantleMedia UK, has not yet been given a date for broadcast but hopes it will be shown this autumn.