BERKELEY Castle is the focus of a new television series that claims to get behind the doors that are usually closed to the public.

Halo Films, based in the village of Stone, is currently filming at the Berkeley estate for a 20-episode television series.

Peter Georgi, owner of Halo Films, said: "The Berkeley family and the estate are very interesting and making 20 shows means we can really take our time with the different parts and people.

"The castle is so intrinsically linked with a country way of life and they are trying to keep that going.

"Their approach to the estate and running the estate is very unique, they believe in longevity. A lot of the estate workers have been there for 25 years."

The television series, which is being shown on Sky channel Horse and Country, includes footage of the Sealed Knot, the recent archaeological dig by Bristol University, the hunt, the deer park and work done by the castle archivist.

Despite being the focus of many television programmes over the years, Mr Georgi said this new series offers greater insight and behind-the-scenes footage for the castle and the Spetchley estate.

He said: "As a film maker, we are making quite honest and simple films about an interesting way of life.

"The Berkeley family, John Berkeley and Henry and Charles, who run the estate, have been very helpful.

"They've had television crews around in the past but they've given us a lot of time."

Halo Films will be filming at Berkeley for the rest of the summer and staff at the castle hope the exposure will pull in extra crowds.

Tim Davies, marketing director at the Berkeley Estate, said: "It's excellent publicity for the castle and it's going to give a real insight into the estate and the family and how we run things here."