A BRAND new BBC documentary film narrated by Adrian Chiles follows three family businesses in Stourport and explores how the town has evolved into a thriving holiday destination.

'The Great Staycation' is the brainchild of Kidderminster's Paul Barnett, of GOSH! TV, who has produced and directed several well-known shows for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, including Come Dine With Me, Coast and Embarrassing Bodies.

Paul told The Shuttle: "I’ve visited Stourport for many, many years as both a child and a parent so it was the first place I thought of when I pitched the idea to the BBC.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

"What amazed me most was the history of the resort - there’s been a fairground in the town for over 100 years and the families that run many of the attractions in Stourport go back for generations."

Paul and his team have spent most of the summer filming with Stourport's tourist attractions, including riverboat steamer The River King, which was recently taken over and refurbished by cousins Tom Moore and Jamie Dyde.

"Years ago, people used to flock to Stourport from miles around to take a trip on one of the many steamers that were based here," said Paul. “Today the only one left is Tom and Jamie’s boat, which they’ve done a brilliant job of renovating.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

"I lost count of how many hours we filmed on the boat – I never felt sea sick though!”

The film also spends time at the Treasure Island fairground, which was taken over in 2007 by Henry Danter, whose family have been running fairgrounds for generations.

“I never look on the negative side of anything,” said Henry. “Otherwise I wouldn’t be here today. Today is good, tomorrow is going to be better and the day after will be better than tomorrow, and that’s the way you got to look at it.”

Kidderminster Shuttle:

Running the fairground today is Henry’s son, Harry, who said: “My Dad always says it’s not about how much you put in, it’s what you get back."

Away from the main town, the film also spends time at Lickhill Manor Caravan Park, including a unique interview with the park owner Dennis Lloyd-Jones, whose father started the business in 1956.

Also featured are two of the park's wardens, Nick Westcott and Michelle Williams, who explain why they love working at the park.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

“It actually feels like you’re on a really long vacation," they said. "Yes, you know you’re working, but it’s a lifestyle. I just feel that I’m part of the holiday that the people are doing on the park."

The film concludes on August Bank Holiday weekend, when the town was flooded with holidaymakers - much to the relief of local business owners.

Specialist drone filming was used to show off the Stourport landscape, and producer Paul says he is keen to show Stourport from a new perspective.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

“I was really surprised how different Stourport looks from the air, with the picturesque canal basins surrounded by beautiful green countryside," said Paul. "I think people will be amazed how beautiful the town looks.

“It’s a warm, charming and beautiful film, full of amazing local characters that I hope shows Stourport at its best – It’s certainly a summer I will never forget."

The Great Staycation: Stourport-On-Severn airs Monday, November 11 on BBC1 West Midlands at 7.30pm.