THEY’RE back where they believe they belong and loving every moment of it.

The cast and crew of Last of The Summer Wine are hard at work in the Holme Valley, filming for the series they feared they would never see.

Earlier this year, the Examiner revealed that the BBC were considering axing what has become the world’s longest-running TV comedy series.

The official BBC line was that the programme was ‘on hold’ but show insiders said that was effectively a death knell for a series that has millions of fans around the world.

Putting it on hold and refusing to confirm if a new series was to be commissioned meant the actors, the technicians and the support staff would have to find other work. Getting them back together for a Summer Wine filming schedule would then be difficult if not impossible.

Alan J W Bell, the man who has produced and directed the show for the past 28 years, said he owed a huge vote of thanks to the Examiner and to the people who fought to keep the show.

“It's always good to be back,’’ he said. “We feel at home here in the Holme Valley.

“We were delighted with the reaction to the last series which saw Russ Abbott introduced as a main new character. That’s why it seemed completely barmy to consider axing the series just when it was about to re-invent itself.

“Two years ago Peter Fincham, one of the BBC programme controllers, got us all together and said he envisaged a new midweek slot which would give the show years more life.

“Months later he was out under a cloud in the row over the documentary about the Queen and we were told the show was on hold.

“It meant we would be finished as people had to commit to other projects. All over the world people were appalled and thanks to them and to the publicity generated by the Examiner exclusive, there was a huge call for a decision. Thankfully, it came when we got the go-ahead for this new series of six episodes.’’

Filming for that series has been taking place across the Holme Valley over the past few weeks and location work ends this week.

The huge army that is now the Summer Wine location team has descended on hamlets in places like Scholes, Jackson Bridge and Hade Edge for scenes crafted by top writer Roy Clarke.

Not that the locals have shown concern. They are well-used to the Summer Wine team now and rarely an eyelid is batted.

But to Bell and his team, it’s a labour of love.

The crew, too, love working with Abbott, Burt Kwouk, Brian Murphy and Jean Alexander.

There’s a lot of banter over meals of chilli con carne, fish pie and ravioli in their farmyard base high above Scholes prior to a night shoot featuring Robert Fyfe (Howard), Abbott (Hobdyke) and Murphy (Alvin Smedley).

It’s one of the final scenes before the crew pack up their cameras and sound booms and move south to Shepperton Studios where the programmes are finally put together.

Alan said: “No other show deals with issues as we do and in a way that appeals to the whole family. I believe the new characters have kept the show fresh and alive. I’m just so pleased to see it continue.’’