A SOMERSET business got a celebrity visitor in 1998, to purchase classic county willow.

Film star Jeremy Irons, whose films include Chariots of Fire, dropped in to LA Musgrove and Son at Westonzoyland to source willow for a restoration project at his home in Cork, Ireland.

Ellen Musgrove, from the firm, said: "We had a phone call the night before saying Jeremy Irons would be coming to choose the willow, but we didn't really believe it."

But the Hollywood star did turn up - and even stayed for tea.

"By the time we had finished loading the willow, it was time for lunch, so we invited him in," Ellen added.

"It was anything special, just chicken and chips."

Good enough for a film star...