A GRAND Herefordshire manor house is being returned to its 18th century splendour in preparation for a starring role in a major television series.

Kentchurch Court will be seen by millions when it takes centre stage in 'The Regency House Party', due to be screened by Channel 4 early in 2004.

The eight 60-minute shows will be based along the same lines as 'The Edwardian Country House', which proved a huge hit when it was screened last year attracting over four million viewers per episode.

Work to turn Kentchurch Court into an authentic 18th century manor house is a hush-hush operation.

Experts have been called on to re-decorate and re-furnish the lavish rooms and remove any evidence of its 21st century life, including the central heating.

Sumptuous

"It has to look authentic so there has been months of preparation to get it right," explained Channel 4 spokesman Yad Luthra.

"Our experts have been looking at every aspect of the Regency period and spent hours on end in museums doing research."

Filming is due to start towards the end of June when the specially selected cast will enter the house and spend three months living the life of the 18th century rich.

According to production company Wall to Wall, their aim will be 'to engage in the pursuit of love and the Regency pleasure principle ie. to party the night away without a care in the world in a sumptuous stately home with every wish granted by willing servants.'

Mr Luthra believes the series will have a hugely beneficial impact on the Herefordshire tourism industry.

"When the Edwardian Country House aired, the estate on which it was shot was inundated with visitors. It became big news," he said.

"At this stage, however, production is still in the early stages and we are pleading with the public to stay away from Kentchurch for the time being.

"If people start flocking to see it now it could put the whole series in jeopardy. The point of the series is that the cast is kept away from the 21st century as much as possible - we can't have sightseers turning up all the time."

Among the spin-offs from the programme will be the chance to tour the 'virtual' Kentchurch Court on a Channel 4 web-site and a book about the series.

Located near Pontrilas on Herefordshire's border with Wales, Kentchurch Court has been the home of the Scudamore family for centuries.

The current Scudamores are being re-homed for the duration of filming.

The production team chose Kentchurch Court from 'dozens' of other properties due to its authentic 18th century appearance and its 'excellent ambience'.

Though most of the present building dates from 18th and 19th century renovations, remains of medieval defences in the shape of a gatehouse and a fortified tower still exist.

The name of John Nash is strongly associated with the building. He is recorded as having remodelled the house for Colonel John Scudamore in about 1795.