Tourists stay away in Malta in their droves

Pity the poor boatmen at the Blue Grotto in Malta and Azure Window on Gozo. The last two weeks in August and we were the only people on the boat trip around the Gozo caves. A wait at the Blue Grotto elicited a few more tourists but the credit crunch has well and truly bitten over here. Some hotels in Mellieha are reporting bookings 70% down this summer. Fortunately the Italians have saved the day for many.

Hilarious sitcom blows into Brookwood

Brookwood residents were disappointed to learn that the village's new hair salon Cut and Blow will be closing after just one week.

But their dismay turned to delight when they discovered that the shop had been transformed into a set for the filming of a new tv comedy of the same name.

Brookwood actors Martin Dickinson and Nathan Lubbock-Smith, helped by local residents and students who acted as runners and crew, filmed the comedy this week at the salon in Connaught Road. Local colleges had also supplied equipment. I went along to the filming to see what all the fuss was about.

The set with its candy pink signage was extremely realistic thanks to ebay, where producer Martin had managed to pick up a lot of the furnishings and accessories. Local hairdresser Peter Jones had also helped out. The walls had even been wiped with tea bags to age them. No wonder residents thought this former salon had reopened.

A 30-second joke routine lightened the mood. A dozen or more of us quietly toasted in the heat of the lights while the five actors ran through their lines. Sound booms were thrust in the air while Jamie Kluckers, director of photography, ran through camera and sound checks. Then 'action'.

The script explores the lives of salon staff and customers in the fictional village of Maybourne. After the owner, Felicity, tired of being at everyone's beck and call, storms out fireworks begin as the characters' secrets and past catch up with them. Zakarya Daliri who plays Antonio and Natalie Eve as Michaela were hilarious in their parts.

Director Jo Peploe described the script as "pretty much on the edge and a bit risque". Nathan, who plays Noel, started writing the sitcom when he worked in a hair salon 10 years ago. He went on a cruise to work on it and started working with Jo on his return.

Martin describes the sitcom as a cross between the Inbetweenies and Vicar of Dibley, without the canned laughter. He chose to film in a former salon because he wanted people to believe the salon really exists. Great detail was paid to continuity. Cars parked outside were asked to move on retakes if they had not been there when the scene was originally shot. Editing was done overnight in the flat above the salon.

His only task left now is to attract interest in the pilot from the likes of the BBC and Channel 4. If he's successful - and I see no reason why he shouldn't be - this cutting edge sitcom could be blowing onto a screen near you. Cut!