Portishead

Mark visits Portishead in Somerset.

Portishead is near Bristol, but it definitely isn't Bristol. You can get to Bristol from there if you like, but it isn't that easy.

It has a lovely Marina, a boating lake, a lido and peculiar stationers shop with too many rooms. It also has a plethora of groups and societies including a marvellous bunch of people who save toads and frogs from getting run over. Oh, and newts.

Eddie Large and Johnny Briggs (Coronation Street's Mike Baldwin) are famous residents.

Mark Steele's award-winning series travels around the country visiting towns that have nothing in common but their uniqueness.

After thoroughly researching each town, Mark writes and performs a bespoke evening of comedy for the local residents.

Written and performed by Mark Steel.

Additional material by Pete Sinclair.

Production co-ordinator: Hayley Sterling Sound Manager: David Thomas Picture Credit: Tom Stanier

Producer: Carl Cooper

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2017.