Manchester-based Purple Productions has secured a new commission and will be making Services to the Lake District (w/t) for Channel 4.

The four-part series will look at what makes Tebay Service Station one of the UK’s most unique stopping points. The series will follow key members of staff, the Cumbrian farmers and producers who rally to maintain Britain’s most scenic pit stop.

Set up in 1972 by local farmers, Tebay Services was the first and remains the only UK family-run motorway service station. With 4.5 million visitors a year, Tebay Services now more than ever is a lifeline to the local community who work and trade local artisan produce there, as well as the visitors who choose to stop at its services.

Showcasing the stunning scenery of the Lake District and covering the stories of local traders and farmers for whom the M6 motorway and the service station is vital for their livelihoods, the series will provide an intimate insight into the rural community life of Cumbria and its relationship to the wider world along the M6 motorway at a time of increased uncertainty.

The series was commissioned by Channel 4’s Head of Daytime, Jo Street. The executive producers are Pam Cavannagh and Dympna Jackson and the series producer is Luke Lovell.