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Modern TV listings are pretty much automated these days and so regional variations often get missed out of newspaper TV guides. For that reason (and a bout of shameless self-promotion) I am coming out of blog hibernation to urge anyone with an interest in the history of where we live to tune in to a special documentary this week (Tuesday, 12 June 2012, 22:35 BST, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One - North East & Cumbria) called The Great British Story - From the Dales to the Sea.

Helen Skelton takes us on a journey through 1,500 years of history dipping into some fascinating tales along the .

Helen is first and foremost a northern lass, but best known for her amazing record-breaking adventures for Blue Peter, such as .

The Wear was a little less challenging, but no less interesting as you'll find out in the programme.

I produced and directed the film and it was great to uncover stories on my own doorstep that I simply had no idea about beforehand.

For instance, we reveal a secret that was kept in a dales farmhouse for centuries, and unlock the past by diving into the river at Durham.

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He's a specialist archaeologist of course, but Helen shows you how you can spot your own historical clues no matter where you live in the North.

Technically I am on leave at the moment, which is why my blogging has been on hold, but I simply had to get the word out on this one. I'm sure you'll enjoy watching it as much as Helen and I enjoyed making it!