Canal supporters in Wiltshire hope a new celebrity reality show will help show the beauty of the waterway and the importance of restoration to TV viewers.

The first episode of the Channel 5 show Celebrity Carry On Barging with Nigel Havers, Lorraine Chase, Simon Callow and Debbie McGee will be screened tomorrow (10) from 8pm.

Malcolm Hitchinson from the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust said: "We were delighted to welcome the four celebrities, plus dog, plus film crew to Pewsham Locks.

"It is a fascinating site which used to be the centre of much canal activity: three locks to negotiate, a lock cottage for the canal agent, a dry dock and workshop for boat building and repairs, a sawpit and a lime kiln.

"Simon and Nigel were incredibly interested in everything they saw, and really empathised with the lives of the boat people who must have passed through here. They even mused about the opportunity for creating a rich historical drama, especially as they were becoming so interested through their own experiences of travelling along the Kennet & Avon Canal.”

The famous four were filmed in November at the locks just south of Chippenham between Pewsham and Lacock. Dave Maloney chairman of the Melksham, Calne & Chippenham Branch of the trust said: "The visit will help to publicise this exciting and important local restoration project."

The programme, split into four episodes, shows the celebrities getting to grips with mooring, steering, cooking on-board and coping with swans.

The visit to Pewsham came about after Mr Callow asked to visit a restoration site."

Volunteers Ray Canter and Jeff Dawes had the challenging job of making bricks, leaks and bank erosion into riveting conversation pieces during the filming with Ms Chase and Ms McGee. Mr Canter said: “Both Lorraine and Debbie were absolutely lovely, and time just flew by. They were chatty, enthusiastic, not at all worried about keeping up appearances, and really interested in absolutely everything."

Mr Hitchinson said:“It was quite a challenge to think of a safe, accessible, interesting task which would only take a short time, but in the event, they were so interested to see and discuss all aspects of the site, that all our preparations were unnecessary."

The Wilts & Berks Trust is keen to attract new members and volunteers to help with restorations projects.

During the first episode of the show the celebrities will start their journey in Bath on narrow boats named Tara and May and set off west towards Devizes.

A spokesman for the show said: "Less than an hour outside of Bath, as a momentary lapse in concentration leads to an altercation with a moored boat. Its occupants are less than happy, and the gang realise that there’s more to canal life than messing about on the water.

"That night Debbie is first to experience another narrow boating challenge – cooking on-board. The evening ends with the foursome getting to know each other better over a glass of wine or two.

"A chance encounter with a local artist leaves the group with a map of things to do along the canal. Armed with their map they continue their journey visiting local vineyards and sampling the musical delights of the canal with the Avoncliff singers."

During the second episode the group has to navigate the 29 locks that make up the Caen Hill flight in Devizes.