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Described as the "perfect Sunday night winter warmer", "an antidote to the winter blues", the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ today has confirmed a third series of the popular Sunday night drama Lark Rise To Candleford, Bill Gallagher's adaptation of Flora Thompson's magical memoir of her Oxfordshire childhood.

The feel-good ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One drama, which stars Julia Sawalha, Olivia Hallinan, Jason Merrells, Brendan Coyle, Mark Heap and Ruby Bentall, saw burgeoning romances blossom and falter amongst the two communities, as well as social and financial pressures take their toll in a series that chronicles the day-to-day life of two communities at the end of the 19th century.

"The wonderful cast of characters and storylines has firmly established the show's popularity with the audience and I look forward to Bill and the team bringing us new stories from the world of Lark Rise in a third series," says Kate Harwood, Controller, Series and Serials.

Set in the small hamlet of Lark Rise and the wealthier neighbouring market town, Candleford, at the end of the 19th century, the series chronicles the daily lives of farm workers, craftsmen and gentry, observing characters in loving, boisterous and competing communities of families, rivals, friends and neighbours.

The much-loved series continues to secure strong ratings, attracting average audiences of over 6.4 million viewers, and has received a deluge of positive feedback from both fans and the press.

Executive Producer and writer, Bill Gallagher, says: "I'm delighted at the public response to Lark Rise To Candleford, it's wonderful that so many people have taken the show to their heart and I can't wait to get started on new storylines and characters for the third series.

"Flora Thompson's beautiful books are packed with delights, so we're never short of inspiration."

The second series started with a Christmas sSpecial on 21 December 2008, followed by 11 episodes which began on 4 January on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One. The final episode in this series will broadcast on Sunday 15 March, culminating in a spring wedding.

Lark Rise To Candleford is written and executive produced by Bill Gallagher. The series Executive Producer is Susan Hogg.

The series has been re-commissioned for a third series by Ben Stephenson, Controller, Drama Commissioning, and will be filmed later this summer for transmission in 2010.

Press quotes

"... charming, beautiful and picturesque" – Total TV Guide

"... one of the finest costume dramas in recent years..." – TV Times

"perfect wind-down viewing at the close of the weekend" –Inside Soap

"we defy you to find a single negative point about this charming costume drama" **** – Daily Star

"More heart-warming rustic drama" – Sunday Telegraph

"this is shamelessly heart-warming Horlicks TV made with extra sugar, double cream and chocolate on top" – The Times

Lark Rise To Candleford is being simulcast on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ HD channel, the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's high definition channel available through Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media. With up to five times more detail than standard definition television, HD gives you exceptionally vivid colours and crisp pictures to make Lark Rise To Candleford a truly cinematic TV experience.

GJ