BBC1 Television programme Countryfile will feature the Isle of Man on Sunday 26th February at 7pm.

Countryfile visits parts of the British Isles and reports on the stories, characters and traditions that make them distinctive.

Presenters Ellie Harrison and Joe Crowley spent two days filming in the Island last week.

They visited Laxey Glen Mills, where they saw the first batch of its new rye flour in production, the first non-wheat flour to be milled in 150 years, a development supported by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture’s Food Matters strategy.

They interviewed Miles Pettit, who owns NOA Bakehouse, and met 11-year-old Ramsey Grammar School student Tom Keig, the World Bonnag Champion, who showed Ellie how to make the traditional Manx delicacy.

Ellie also filmed at Cregneash with Manx National Heritage and at old tholtans at Killabrega with Ray Kelly, creator of the book Manx Tholtans, while Joe filmed with the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway and at the Home of Rest for Old Horses.

The visit was coordinated by DEFA as part of Food Matters and complements the Island’s status as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Geoffrey Boot MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: ‘Raising international awareness of the uniqueness of the Isle of Man is something we strive for through the Programme for Government.

‘The programme will show millions of peak time viewers how diverse our economy is, how beautiful our landscape is and what a special place we are to live and work.’

Photo - Presenters Ellie Harrison and Joe Crowley at the Home of Rest for Old Horses.