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Where can you find a banana racing in the street? In Heptonstall of course!
It's not a sight you see every day in Heptonstall – a girl dressed as a banana, a team pretending to be forensic scientists and former Emmerdale actress Claire King in a pink mini-skirt.
But then it's not every day, a new BBC sitcom is filmed in the area
Dozens of cameraman, actors, producers, executives, directors and writers converged on the tiny village's main cobbled road to record scenes for The Gemma Factor, a six-part comedy to be screened on BBC3 this autumn.
The series, written by Hebden Bridge based actor-author Tony Pitts and based in a fictionalised version of the town called Lumb Dean, follows the trials and tribulations of Gemma Collinge, a girl with just one ambition – to be famous by the time she turns 21 in a few months.
"We've been recording in and around Hebden Bridge for four weeks now," said producer Joanna Blake.
"It's absolutely beautiful, the scenery is just stunning, but what we are trying to show is how modern society's almost toxic obsession with fame doesn't just exist in the big towns, it pervades everywhere, even gorgeous little rural towns like Hebden Bridge – or Lumb Dean."
Scenes had already been shot at locations including the Birchcliffe Centre, the canal banks, Hardcastle Crags and the Rim Nam Thai restaurant before the cast and crew arrived in Heptonstall on Monday to record a fun run which takes place in one episode.
Recording has been a massive boon to the area.
More than 50 local people have been hired as extras and dozens of cast and crew have filled hotels, bed and breakfasts and guest houses across the town for the last month.
Anna Gilthorpe, who plays main character Gemma, said: "I've loved staying here, we've been going to the local pubs every weekend. Everyone's so friendly."
The 22-year-old, who originally comes from Newcastle, said: "Getting the chance to play Gemma is just a massive thrill, it's my first big role so I'm hoping it goes well."
Mr Pitts, who played Archie Brooks in Emmerdale during the 80s and 90s said they hoped people would enjoy the show but remained tight-lipped on whether Gemma would achieve her goal.
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Weather for Halifax
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: -6 C to 3 C
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