A YORK church’s part in a 19th century lesbian romance looks set to feature in a new BBC One costume drama.

BAFTA-winning writer Sally Wainwright has been commissioned to write Shibden Hall, which will tell the story of landowner, Anne Lister, and her plans to marry heiress Ann Walker.

The couple are said by a national newspaper to have become engaged on February 27, 1834, and then taken communion during a service at Holy Trinity Church in Goodramgate - and this has been hailed by gay and lesbian activists as the first Church of England blessing of a same-sex marriage.

The Churches Conservation Trust, which is responsible for the redundant church, was unable to comment on whether filming would take place there.