WHEN people think of Robin Hood, Somerset is not the first place they think of - but our county has an unusual link with the story - albeit in a modern context.

When Kevin Costner's smash hit film, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, was released in 1991, it was a box office hit, grossing more than $390m worldwide.

But perhaps more well known than the film itself, is the 'theme' song - Bryan Adams' (Everything I Do) I Do It For You.

The ballad, the album version of which stretches to a whopping 6 minutes, was a global hit.

In hit the top of the charts in dozens of countries and in the UK, it spent a record-breaking 16 weeks at number 1. 

And this is where Somerset comes in...

For the video for the song, which was played on heavy rotation on MTV and Top of the Pops for months, was filmed in the county.

It was directed by Somerset-based filmmaker Julien Temple, who says he only agreed to take part in the project if he could 'walk to work' - meaning it would have to happen near his Quantocks home.

It was then he found Silk Mill, near Holford, which became the backdrop for Adams' and his band's performance in the video.

Bridgwater Mercury:
Holford Silk Mill, by Peter Vines/Somerset Camera Club

Temple told the BBC: "I got a call saying would I do this Bryan Adams thing. And I said I would if I could walk to work, from my cottage in the Quantocks where I live, and they said yes."

And so it was that a rock giant ended up in the Quantock woods for an afternoon and evening, as well as on Kilve beach, which featured in part of the video.

But Temple is not as proud of his achievement as you might think...

"Little did we know that it was going to be on Top of the Pops for months," he said.

"I was kind of embarrassed by the length it went on, because it's not my finest hour as a filmmaker.

"It really was about walking to work, that's why I did it. I didn't expect it to dominate the pop charts for as long as it did."

Bridgwater Mercury:
Bryan Adams and band at Holford in the video

In 2012, the 18th-19th century Silk Mill went on the market, priced at £60,000.

And in 2013, after being sold, villagers formed a committee against developing the site, which they said it had 'enormous historical, scientific, cultural and archaeological interest'.

Not least because it is the backdrop for a music video classic...

Bridgwater Mercury:
Bryan Adams on Kilve Beach in the video