HISTORIC Towneley Hall will be returning to the small screen next month — as bosses prepare for a record-breaking year of visitors.

The BBC Antiques Roadshow crew was so impressed with the hall and its surroundings when they filmed in June that they decided to make two episodes.

The first was screened in October and the second episode will be shown in January.

It comes as hall bosses revealed a record number of group bookings had already been made for visits next year.

The jewel in Burnley’s crown appeared on national television twice towards the end of this year.

In addition to the Roadshow, the Antiques Road Trip also paid a visit to the hall in September for a programme screened in November.

Towneley Hall manager Ken Darwen said: “Seeing Towneley on TV has had a positive impact on visitor numbers. Since the first Antiques Roadshow programme was aired, we’ve seen an upsurge in visitors from across the North West who said they came after they saw the show. We’ve already got 18 group bookings for next year, the most we’ve ever had so early, as a result of all the positive images on TV.

“Towneley is a wonderful place to visit and that’s really come across well on TV. It’s a great way of promoting Towneley and all it has to offer.”

Coun John Harbour, executive member for leisure and culture on Burnley Council, said: “The profile generated by the BBC Antiques Roadshow will help with the marketing of the Pennine Lancashire Museums and Towneley in particular.

“The second episode of the Towneley Antiques Roadshow is due to screen in January 2014.”