Stars of The Archers have praised the friendliness of Cumbrians during a visit to the area to promote their stage show.

Lucy Fleming and Simon Williams, who play Justin and Miranda Elliott in the BBC Radio 4 programme, are in the county as part of a five-show tour the couple are performing in.

And during a visit to Keswick today they spoke of their love of the town.

Simon said: "I came to Keswick years ago, it's just wonderful. I love it here, it's so beautiful and everyone is so friendly."

And Lucy echoed his praises for the Lakes, saying: "Keswick is lovely. I don't know it at all and it's delightful to be here. It's lovely, we've just walked down to the lake."

The couple, who are married in The Archers and in real life, are keen environmentalists and visited the charity West Cumbria Rivers Trust's new office and information centre on Lake Road.

Lucy called the new premises "fascinating" and "very well set out."

And Simon said: "It's fabulous. I love anything where people are showing concern for the future generation and our heritage and we have to look after it."

Jodie Mills, director of West Cumbria, said it was fabulous that the couple dropped in and showed interest in the charity's work.

The pair, from Henley-on-Thames near Oxfordshire, are taking to the stage to perform 'Posting Letters to the Moon', a story based on wartime letters sent between Lucy's mother, Brief Encounter actress Celia Johnson, and her husband Peter Fleming, brother of James Bond author Ian Fleming. While here, they are staying in the Lorton area.

They are performing in Glenridding Public Hall tomorrow (Saturday) night; Keswick Alhambra on Sunday and the Ennerdale Centre on Tuesday.

They started their five-show tour at Dukes Playhouse in Lancaster on Wednesday, before heading to Carnforth Station where parts of Brief Encounter were filmed.