Ava's delight as Top Gear team dines at Kirkharle Courtyard

Filming has been taking place in Northumberland for the new series of the BBC television show and the surrounding farmland met its requirements.

When presenters Paddy McGuinness, Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris, and the crew, had a break, the Courtyard provided a scenic setting for their lunch outdoors.

Ava Smith whose father works at Kirkharle, has long been a fan of Top Gear.

She was delighted to be photographed, albeit socially distanced, alongside the stars of the series, adding: “It’s a dream come true.”

The presenter trio have also been spotted racing on Bamburgh beach and spent time in Seahouses.

Claire Coker, the business development manager at Kirkharle, said: “The team from Top Gear provided a real boost to morale with their presence.

“We taken forward that momentum and with more Covid-19 restrictions lifting today (Monday) to allow eating inside, we are really looking forward to welcoming customers both old and new back to the Courtyard for refreshments and the opportunity to shop.

“We are raring to go.”

The Top Gear team filmed the final leg of their Northumberland adventure in the remote Upper Coquet Valley on Sunday morning.

But the irony of testing-driving electric cars in the latest, most rural of locations was not lost on recently re-elected local county councillor Steven Bridgett.

To read the full story about that, click here.