Order to protect Dafydd's village

Llanddewi-Brefi has been put on the map by Little Britain

A village in Ceredigion looks set to be made a protected area, thanks partly to hit BBC comedy Little Britain.

The show starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams has put Llanddewi-Brefi on the map, making it a potential tourism hotspot.

Now the county council wants the village to be given special status in an attempt to protect its character.

The BBC's version of Llanddewi-Brefi is home to rubber-clad Dafydd, "the only gay in the village".

Ceredigion Council believes the village has the potential to become one of the jewels in the region's tourism crown.

Conservation area status means its buildings and character will be protected and there will be tighter controls on planning applications.

The village has the potential to become one of the real jewels in Ceredigion's tourism crown Planning officer Rosemary Rhys

But a consultation process will take place before the council decides whether to press ahead with its plan.

Planning officer Rosemary Rhys said the proposal to make Llanddewi-Brefi a conservation area ahead of other villages was partly thanks to Little Britain's success.

"The village of Llanddewi-Brefi is steeped in history and is now also famous for its links with the BBC comedy series Little Britain," she added.

"The village has the potential to become one of the real jewels in Ceredigion's tourism crown.

"The village is special anyway, and now there are even more reasons. Now seems an opportune moment to consider this."

Played by Matt Lucas, the flamboyant Dafydd is one of Little Britain's best-loved characters.

In recent years Llanddewi-Brefi's road signs have been targeted by souvenir hunters.

In 2005, village signs were offered for sale on an internet auction site after being stolen from the village.