A NEW four-part series shining a light on the lives of those who live along the Welsh border will be screened by BBC Two Wales this week.

“Border Lives” will start tonight (June 4) at 7.30pm with the other episodes being shown on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, June 8.

The programmes explore the area from Montgomery down to Chepstow in the south telling the tales of the diverse folk that work, play and live in the borderlands.

Its unspoilt beauty, rural charm and spiritual landscape has captivated and attracted people for hundreds of years and its inhabitants have an array of colourful stories.

They include Ifor Humphreys, the farmer from Montgomery, who said: "We thoroughly enjoyed our time filming for Border Lives as we looked to share the story of our own border life.

“Those who live along the border are a diverse folk and the programme sought to shine a light on the diversification occurring on our farm where we raise Wagyu beef cattle and have also diversified into natural burials.”

From farmers to foragers (Chris Harrod, head chef of the Michelin starred Whitebrook Restaurant at Monmouth); and from bikers to bowls players, as well as morris dancers, fishermen, chefs, hikers, and a tree surgeon poet, to one-woman business adventurer Angela Jones of “Run Wild” on the river Wye at Symond’s Yat; the series explores their diverse, quaint and warm-hearted stories and shares their unique border lives.

Angela Jones said: “It was wonderful to share my love of this river and my passion for life and adventure with them. Hopefully the series will encourage others to see the beauty of this spectacular place called the Wye Valley.”

PIC 1: MONTGOMERY farmer Ifor Humphreys enjoys sharing a pint with his cattle, part of the process that gives them that distinctive Wagyu beef taste.

PIC 2: KNIGHTON Bowling Club players pictured in the Border Lives series as they prepared for their final match of the season against their counterparts from Presteigne.

PIC 3: KAYAKING on the river Wye, international athlete and fitness fanatic Angela Jones prepares for a five week journey that will she her and her dog cover a total of 344 miles swimming, kayaking and running a stretch of the river Wye and camping on the river banks.