A BBC star has been announced as a last-minute addition to a new festival in Cirencester.

Charlie Cooper, known for playing Lee ‘Kurtan’ Mucklowe in mockumentary sitcom This Country, is joining the line-up for the inaugural Cirencester History Festival - which begins this weekend.

Mr Cooper, who wrote the comedy programme with his sister Daisy May, will be discussing his new documentary series for the BBC, Charlie Cooper’s Myth Country.

He will share the creative inspiration and insider stories behind the programme – an odyssey into the weird and wonderful world of British folk traditions and rural legends.

The event will celebrate British folklore and ancient rituals, from cheese rolling and demon dogs to the legend of King Arthur.

It will explore why humans still feel the need to share ancient tales, uphold obscure rituals, leave marks on the landscape and feel the eerie thrill of mythical creatures in their midst.

Cirencester History Festival producer Jess Yarrow described the addition of Mr Cooper to the festival as ‘fantastic news’.

“We are hugely excited to welcome Charlie to Cirencester’s first-ever History Festival, to hear about his brilliant show and to celebrate our country’s fascinating, revealing and too-often-overlooked ancient rites, myths and rituals,” she said.

“It’s obvious that Charlie is fascinated by the slightly mysterious bonds that bind people together and our shared past - ideas that are right at the heart of our festival too.”

Cirencester History Festival takes place from Saturday, October 26 to Sunday, November 3, with a combination of free and paid events.

Over 40 talks, family events and community activities will cover a variety of local, national and global history.

Headline speakers include Jonathan Dimbleby, Natalie Haynes, Janina Ramirez, Ronald Hutton and Marc Morris.

There will also be a special recording of The Rabbit Hole Detectives with Rev Richard Coles, Dr Cat Jarman and Charles Spencer.

Audiences can watch Mr Cooper in conversation with festival president Dame Fiona Reynolds at the Parish Church of St John Baptist in Cirencester’s Market Place from 4pm to 5pm on Saturday, November 2.

The event is recommended for those aged 10+.

Tickets cost £12 per adult and £5 per person aged 21 or under (available online).

For more information and to book tickets for the festival, visit cirencesterhistoryfestival.org