A boom in Cornwall tourism is being predicted thanks to the new BBC One Poldark series, due to air at 9pm this Sunday.

Showcasing the beauty and culture of Cornwall through stunning scenic images and a passionate plot interwoven with 18th Century Cornish mining, the series is expected to emulate the success of the original mid-1970s version and pull in millions of viewers for an hour every Sunday night for 8 weeks.

Filming took place last summer and while some scenes were shot in Wiltshire, Gloucester and Bristol, cameras mainly rolled at locations across Cornwall, with everywhere from Charlestown to Porthgwarra taking a turn in the spotlight.

The Visit Cornwall tourism service is maximising exposure for Cornwall from the drama by creating Poldark themed holiday ideas and competitions, as well as by working with tourism partners to host national journalists on Poldark experiences.

Malcolm Bell, head of Visit Cornwall for Cornwall Development Company, csaid: “Primetime coverage such as this can have substantial impact on a destination.

"You’ve only got to look at the Rosamunde Pilcher adaptations which can be credited with much of Cornwall’s popularity among German visitors, or Doc Martin’s phenomenal success in Australia and New Zealand, to see how far reaching the impact can be.

“If the initial reviews are anything to go by Poldark looks set to be a massive hit and with 12 novels in the Poldark series there is potential for it to run and run. The opportunity is there to be seized and I look forward to working with the tourism industry to turn the success of the production into a success for Cornwall.”

Kaye Elliot, head of Production Services at Creative England agrees, saying: “Filming can bring a huge amount of money into a region. When a production like Poldark comes to town, they can spend up to £32,000 per day in the region, on things like hotels, food, transport and hiring local crew. Over the last year, filming has brought £11million of inward investment from on location spend into the South West – and that’s before you consider the impact of tourists visiting their favourite film locations.”

“Through Poldark Cornwall has been offered a valuable showcase,” said councillor Julian German, portfolio holder for economy and culture. “With the series running until the end of April, the profile boost will coincide with the Easter break and when people are starting to make bookings.

"It is hoped that the stunning scenery will inspire viewers to visit for themselves and discover the mining heritage which plays a central role throughout the story.”