A CAMPAIGN group fighting to stop quarrying being extended near an ancient landmark say a BBC series will aid their efforts.

Thornborough Henges, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, will feature on British Isles - A Natural History, which is being presented by Alan Titchmarsh.

A forthcoming episode will cover the Ice Age, showing how the end of the glacial period left much of Britain covered with gravel.

A later episode will explore the impact which humans had on the landscape, including a look at Thornborough Henges, which was the largest construction of the Neolithic period.

Tarmac Northern, which already quarries land near the monuments, has asked North Yorkshire County Council for permission to extend its operation in the area.

George Chaplin, Thornborough campaign co-ordinator for Heritage Action, said: "The programme will first show how extensive the gravel beds in the north of England are and later how important the henges are. We just have to make sure that the people who watch this know about the quarrying."

Published: 04/10/2004