A 17th century manor house at Siddington near Cirencester is to feature in a documentary to be shown on the LIVING channel this autumn.

Its claim to fame is that it is the new home of flamboyant design guru Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen who moved there in April with his wife, Jackie, and their two daughters, having decided to risk all and trade their comfortable family town house in London for a "run down, unloved" Cotswold home.

To the Manor Bowen will capture the highs, the lows and the tantrums as the eccentric Bowen family settle into the village and discover the differences between city and country living.

Cameras will follow the real life dilemmas as the family tackle moving house, redesigning, decorating and furnishing their new property, settling into new schools, meeting the neighbours and becoming part of a close-knit community.

"Like so many 40-somethings with children, it's been a dream to move to the country.

"My only worry is that it could well be the country's worst nightmare to have us next door. But I'm looking forward to trying out my new design direction, Rocky Horror Arts and Crafts. It's definately the way forward," said Laurence.

Series producer Livia Russell, who has also been responsible for Grand Designs and Risking It All, commented: "We're really looking forward to making this observational series with Laurence and his family and seeing them coming to terms with the ups and downs of a new life in a Gloucestershire village.

"It also follows Laurence tackling the challenges of restoring his own period house for the first time on television."

But before the series comes on air, Laurence and Jackie will be taking on roles which may become very familiar to them in their new life, when they officially open a Pimms and Plants Party in aid of Cotswold Breakthrough, to be held at Dobbies Garden Centre, just outside Cirencester on June 28 at 7.30pm.