A LAST-minute offer to appear on a Channel 4 programme has given a Herefordshire B&B a boost to its business.

Glyn Bufton, who runs The Bridge Farmhouse B&B in Michaelchurch Escley with his wife, Gisela, was asked to appear on the B&B competition programme, Four in a Bed, last summer at short notice after another owner dropped out.

It was just a month after their baby, Harry, was born, so Mr Bufton appeared on the show with Paul Chicken, the chef at his other business The Bridge Inn- also in Michaelchurch.

The show aired every weekday last week, which sees four B&B owners throw open their doors and take turns to stay with one another - and pay what they consider fair for their stay. The Bridge Farmhouse came second.

Mr Bufton, 33, said he was overall pleased with the final cut of the show.

He said: “They interview you a lot. They choose what to use to make it work. They know what they are looking for.

"There are nearly two days worth of filming which they get to a 23 minute programme.

"They can edit it how they want. They can't make you say anything- it is up to you what you say. But you have to bear in mind if you are going to say something completely stupid it will probably go in the programme."

One of the other owners, Yorkshire woman Carole Kneen, dropped out half way through the week as she was upset by some of the criticism she received.

The show is notorious for the competitive nature of the owners and the sometimes harsh criticism of each other’s establishments.

Gordon and Margaret Hood from Scotland took first place while Leanne Vickers and Alan Walsh from Shropshire came third.

So how did Mr Bufton feel about the criticism they received, which was mainly about the lack of televisions in the bedrooms.

He said: "It wasn't too bad to be honest. You have got to expect that is what it is."

They have since decided to put televisions in the room, but are considering removing them again.

Mr and Mrs Bufton have been running the B&B for 12 months and have also run The Bridge Inn for three years.

Since the show was aired last week the number of bookings has increased, with many callers mentioning the show, including one booking from the editor of the show itself.