FORMER Government Minister Michael Portillo showed he's got a head for heights during filming a clip about the Battle of Sedgemoor.

He spent two hours at St Mary's Church, Chedzoy, filming for the next series of the BBC's Great British Railway Journeys, even going to the top of the tower.

Churchwarden Michael Friend said: "Chedzoy played an important, but often overlooked, part in the Battle of Sedgemoor.

"The villagers kept out of the battle itself, on the instructions of the Rev Andrew Pascall, who was rector at the time.

"However a local farmer and Monmouth supporter named Sparks climbed Chedzoy church tower to spy out the positions of the Royal Army gathering near Westonzoyland.

"He then sent his servant into Bridgwater to tell Monmouth that the Royalist camp was poorly defended, helping Monmouth to plan his surprise attack."

The edition of Great British Railways will be broadcast in January.