Famous TV presenters Michaela Strachan and Dan Walker descended on a Northallerton farm to film a new Channel 5 show about metal detector finds.

Dan, who left the BBC in May, tweeted that the Digging for Treasure show 'is like Top Gear with spades' and sees experts peel back the layers of history hidden beneath the earth.

He, together with Michaela Strachan, archaeologist Raksha Dave and a full TV crew, filmed the very first episode in fields belonging to Northallerton farmers Paul and Brian Phillips.

The Phillips family have farmed the fields for three generations since the end of the Second World War and were keen to find out what lies beneath their land.

Paul said: "What we don't know is the history that is buried in the soil and I am fascinated as to what might have happened on the land before us.”

During the filming at the weekend, experts from the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme were on hand to identify and research the finds as they were unearthed.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Farmer Paul Phillips with presenters Michaela Strachan and Dan Walker Picture: Anthony PickeringFarmer Paul Phillips with presenters Michaela Strachan and Dan Walker Picture: Anthony Pickering (Image: Anthony Pickering)

A good number of items of historical interest came to light with finds from many periods being unearthed.

The finds will all be recorded by archaeologists to further add to the charted history of the area and build up a fuller picture of what was happening on the land centuries ago.

The searches were carried out by North East detecting group, North Detecting Events LTD, run by Anthony Pickering from Sunderland.

Anthony, who had been detecting for many years before setting up NDE, was delighted to be a part of the show and stressed the need for responsible detectoring.

He said: "I actively promote recording of finds and actively encourage that our history is shared - a find that isn’t recorded is a find lost in my opinion.

"With the recent surge in interest of amateur detectorists entering the hobby, I would advise that permission is a key factor and searching illegally is not what we want to promote or to be associated with.

"Hopefully the programme highlights the process that should be followed, but before embarking on a purchase of a metal detector, I encourage self-education of how it should be conducted correctly and would offer assistance in this area for anyone wishing to join my events."

Darlington and Stockton Times: Spencer Pickering joins in the metal detectoring action on the Northallerton farm Picture: Anthony PickeringSpencer Pickering joins in the metal detectoring action on the Northallerton farm Picture: Anthony Pickering (Image: Anthony Pickering)

Leeds-based Daisybeck Studios are behind the four-part series and are known for producing the popular Yorkshire Vet, also filmed in the Hambleton area.

Digging for Treasure is due to be aired this Friday, August 26, at 9pm on Channel 5.