A HARDEN beauty spot can be seen in a new dark comedy coming to BBC One.

The St Ives estate was used earlier this year to shoot scenes for Boat Story.

In the six-part thriller, leads Janet (Daisy Haggard) and Samuel (Paterson Joseph) can't believe their luck when a haul of illegal drugs is discovered on a shipwrecked boat. They agree to sell the find and split the cash, but a gangster known as The Tailor (Tcheky Karyo) is on their trail.

Boat Story is a Two Brothers Pictures, All3Media, production written by Harry and Jack Williams, whose other credits include The Missing and its spin-off Baptiste, and The Tourist.

The Friends of St Ives received a £1,500 donation from the production team, which will go towards plants for a new stumpery and fernery garden being created at the estate.

"We were delighted that the production team chose to use St Ives to film some scenes," says Friends chair, Pam Laking.

"It will help to put the estate in the public eye.

"And we are extremely grateful for the donation.

"We discovered an old map which showed that at one time there had been two walled gardens at the top of what is now the picnic area.

"Our stumpery and fernery will also include plantings and will create a haven for wildlife.

"In a second area, we are providing some Georgian herbaceous borders and benches."

During the planning of the stumpery and fernery garden, the Friends visited East Riddlesden Hall, and Ben Cooper – head gardener at the 17th-century National Trust property – has been to St Ives to offer expert help.

Support has also been provided by a fern specialist at RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Harrogate, and by Woodbank Garden Centre & Nurseries in Harden.

"We are very thankful for all the help we've received," Mrs Laking adds.

"It's hoped the project will be finished by next spring, and we've invited the Boat Story production team back to see the completed garden."

Boat Story's all-star cast also includes Joanna Scanlan (After Love, Notes on A Scandal), Craig Fairbrass (One Piece, Villain and Muscle) and Phil Daniels (Quadrophenia, House of the Dragon).

Joanna says of the writers: "Their laser focus on creating as many twists and turns for an audience is quite unusual."

The programme debuts on Sunday (November 19) at 9pm, on BBC One and iPlayer.