MOVE over Barbados --for an ideal place in the sun get yourself to Blackburn!

It's better known for hotpot than being a hot spot but millions of television viewers will see the town championed as a great place to set up a dream home.

Camera crews have been in town to film an episode for a new series of Channel 4's A Place In The Sun: Home or Away.

It will feature retired Cotswolds couple Denise Kilner, 63 and Bob Hanley, 71, who are choosing whether to set up their dream home in Blackburn or 1,000 miles away in the Abruzzo region of Italy.

The couple have expressed an interest in living near a canal and were shown two live-in boats in Chorley and Garstang.

But the pair were also taken to the Feniscowles home of Blackburn firefighter, Neil Carter, as his picturesque property in Kentmere Drive leads directly onto the Leeds and Liverpool canal.

Ms Kilner is originally from the Bury area which left her musing over a return to Lancashire.

As part of the one-hour programme, the couple will be given advice on the three Lancashire properties from UK expert Jonnie Irwin.

Then in a fortnight the house hunters will be flown to Abruzzo to be shown around a further three properties by foreign expert Jasmine Harman.

After 10 years in his canal-side home, Mr Carter, a married father-of-two, is looking to climb the property ladder himself.

The 36-year-old was keeping his fingers crossed the couple would make an offer for his three-bedroom semi -- on the market for £177,500.

"I'm house-proud anyway but it has been mad rushing around making everything right for the TV cameras.

"They saw the property on a website. It will be a bit strange seeing it on TV and particularly as it is for a Place In the Sun. Blackburn perhaps would not normally be associated with that.

"The house leads out onto the canal, it has a nice garden, there are nice views and walks and is set in a lovely neighbourhood. I hope they make an offer as they would be most welcome."

Show researcher, Sam Correia said: "Denise likes the idea of living in a canal boat or by a canal but they also like the idea of living in Italy. The show will offer them advice on the pros and cons of each."

The couple's decision will be broadcast when the show goes out in September.