A PREMIER League footballer dropped into the Dales yesterday to star in a national TV advert.

Tottenham and England star Peter Crouch arrived by helicopter to appear in a commercial for Mars being filmed at Carperby, near Leyburn.

About 80 local extras took part in the final day of filming at the village’s new sports pavilion.

The lanky striker helped villagers put the finishing touches to the new facility. The film crew also captured footage of a game of football between Carperby and local rivals Askrigg.

Local children took the day off from school to take part in the advert.

Carperby beat three other villages to win a grant of £125,000 from Mars to build the pavilion.

As well as money from the sweet-maker, the village received £9,000 from the Big Lottery Fund, £50,000 from the Elm House Trust and £10,000 from Richmondshire District Council.

Local tradesmen and residents have worked around the clock in freezing conditions to get the pavilion finished in time for the filming.

The advert is due to be screened early next month.