Norfolk's poultry heritage will get a prime-time TV airing after the BBC's Countryfile crew filmed turkeys and geese for a pre-Christmas episode.

Eastern Daily Press: BBC Countryfile filming in Banham. Pictured are turkey farmers James Graham (left) and Claire Sims with TV presenter Adam Henson.BBC Countryfile filming in Banham. Pictured are turkey farmers James Graham (left) and Claire Sims with TV presenter Adam Henson. (Image: Claire Sims)

The village green at Banham, near Attleborough, became the scene for a recreation of the bygone days when thousands of birds were walked to London on foot so they arrived fresh for the capital's poultry markets.

The BBC crew also visited producers' farms including Rookery Farm at Thuxton, near Dereham – where farmer James Graham is the fourth generation of his family to produce Peele's Norfolk Black Turkeys.

READ MORE: BBC Countryfile presenter Adam Henson gives farming insight at Easton and Otley College

Presenter Adam Henson said: 'I really loved it. The family is steeped in history with Norfolk Black turkeys and James was incredibly passionate about keeping them going, breeding true to type and persuading the consumer that this is what they want to have on the dinner table at Christmas.

'It is very easy to be tempted by a more productive animal, and enter the world of commercialism, but he has sensibly stuck with it because now he has a very valuable niche market for something which the public, if they are sensible, are prepared to pay more for.'