A CUSTOMER service advisor at English Heritage in Swindon is to star in the latest Bob The Builder video.

Florence Lumsden is the inspiration behind Dr Florence Mountfitchett - a character in the latest video, The Knights of Can-A-Lot.

Her claim to fame began when the Bob the Builder production team, Hot Animation, contacted the English Heritage offices in Swindon looking for tips on castle renovation. Florence answered the phone and supplied them with specialist information on building conservation.

Florence, 47, from Abbey Meads, said: "I could have fobbed them off but that is not my style. I got in touch with our archaeology department and they sent me a report on a castle English Heritage had recently finished renovating."

After two weeks of gathering research, Hot Animation decided to reward Florence's efforts and feature her name in the 45-minute programme. She said: "It is quite an honour and my family find it absolutely hilarious. I simply tried to be useful and now my name is famous."

Dr Florence Mountfitchett, voiced by Oscar-winning actress Brenda Blethyn, is an eccentric expert on historic architecture and restoration. She calls on Bob to fix an ancient castle. The surname also came from Florence's research, which featured Mountfitchet Castle, in Stansted.

Florence was shocked when she heard her name would appear in the medieval video.

She said: "I could hardly believe it. I don't know how I get myself in these situations.

"Dr Florence is like a modern day hippy, which suits me fine. But my accent is a bit different because I'm from Lancashire."

While Dr Florence wears a bright purple bandana and carries an umbrella, Florence's dress sense is less unusual. "My clothes are conventional by comparison," she said.

Besides watching Bob repair a castle, viewers will also see Bob's parents for the first time Robert and Dot, voiced by Richard Briers and June Whitfield.

Jackie Cockle, producer of Bob the Builder and director of Hot Animation, based in Manchester, expressed her gratitude for Florence's assistance. She said: "This video would not have been possible without Florence. Like Dr Mountfitchett, she is a fount of knowledge and we were very impressed with her specialist help."

Bob The Builder fans can buy the video or DVD from today.