A FARMER in a York village has become a television star after being selected to feature in the latest advert for Hovis bread.

Richard Burniston, 58, who owns the North End Farm in Long Marston with his mother, Madge, was approached by the bread company’s advertising department to star in the adverts.

He said: “The filming was definitely a change from my everyday routine on the farm and I loved getting a behind the scenes insight to what goes on behind the cameras, although I don’t think I’ll be swapping farming for autograph signing any time soon.”

Mr Burniston said he has worked with Hovis to grow red wheat for more than four years.

He was one of several wheat farmers from around the country asked to take part in the advert, which will run until the end of May.

The advert depicts a cross-country race with hundreds of farmers battling various obstacles to cross the finishing line to reach a new range of the bread.