THE BBC is planning to film a major ten-part period television drama series in Corsham.

Based on the Flora Thompson novel Larkrise to Candleford the filming will take place in Neston Park, a country estate on the outskirts of the town.

The book is based on the author's own experiences of hamlet life in the 1880s and features Laura Timms, the eldest daughter of a large family, as its main protagonist.

BBC location scouts have identified Neston as the ideal place to represent Laura's place of work, the nearby market town of Candleford.

Hatt Farm in Box is proposed as the location, which will best represent her home, the hamlet of Larkrise.

Producers want to base the operation in Neston and plan to begin filming at the end of May and continue until December. The series will be screened in spring 2008.

A BBC spokesman said: "We want to film for an extended period of time, in order to capture different seasons, changing farming activities, festivals and the effects of these on everyday rural life."

BBC bosses have submitted two planning applications to North Wiltshire District Council for a change of use of two areas of land within the Neston Park Estate.

Ordinarily, the use of land for filming does not require permission from the local authority but it is needed in this case because of the length of time the crews intend to be there, and the temporary buildings they will have to put up to house equipment.

At Neston Park, BBC craftsmen will transform listed buildings into those written about in the novel. The temporary fascia will portray shop fronts, a post office, homes and the local inn.

There is a unique opportunity for locals to become extras.

The BBC spokesman said: "A variety of local suppliers are likely to be required for the filming activities including builders, farmers who can supply livestock and caterers.

"We will also need a local crew, up to 200 temporary extras and the resulting sizeable demand for accommodation in and around the area."

Casting is not yet completed for the production and it is not known who will play English rose Laura or whether any high-profile stars will be signed up.

Neston Park has been used for filming on a number of occasions including the ITV production of Bertie and Elizabeth, Persuasion and Casualty.

Nearby town Lacock was recently catapulted into the limelight again thanks to Dame Judi Dench filming another BBC period drama, The Cranford Chronicles.