TO their owners they are already stars, but two Trowbridge pooches are set to make their pawprints on a national scale by starring in a top BBC drama series.

Foxy-Jayne and Jessie were handpicked by BBC producers for a role in the latest series of Down To Earth and made their screen debut on Sunday.

Owners Sarah-Jayne Newbury and Tony Durrant said they were over the moon when the dogs were picked out of a pool of more than 600.

Originally producers only asked to see Collie-cross Foxy-Jayne, but when they clapped eyes on Springer Spaniel Jessie they decided to use both.

Mixing with former Casualty actor Ian Kelsey, ex-Coronation Street resident Angela Griffin, and head of the Royle family Ricky Tomlinson, Miss Newbury said the dogs were treated like royalty on set.

"They were given caviar, pheasant and beef to eat and had a whale of a time," she said.

"They started filming scenes in the spring and we have met most of the show's stars. They said they wanted them back in the future to ensure continuity."

Both canine stars watched their screen debut alongside their proud owners.

Miss Newbury said: "We were glued to the screen and so were the dogs."