BALLY'S BATTLE TO KEEP STARS

Ballykissangel's real-life villagers are fighting to stop the show's top stars from quitting.

Stephen Tompkinson and Dervla Kirwan - who play Father Peter Clifford and barmaid Assumpta Fitzgerald - announced last week that they intend leaving the hit BBC drama once work on the third series finishes in June.

But the people of Avoca in Co. Wicklow - where the series is set - have set up a petition to try to persuade them to stay.

Bed and breakfast owner Mary Byrne said: "Ballykissangel has worked wonders for us. We are devastated by the reports that Dervla and Stephen are getting out.

"They are a smashing couple. We have adopted them here in Avoca and we don't want them to go."

Ballykissangel has brought huge numbers of tourists.

The pictureresque village is on the coach routes for English, Scottish and Northern Ireland travel operators.

Local traders say business has trebled since the series started.

But Dervla, 25, and Stephen, 30, are leaving the show because they are afraid that working together could harm their off-screen relationship.

And although insiders say the show will go on without them, villagers fear it will not have the same appeal. Mary Byrne said: "Some TV people are saying that the series could continue without them because there are several other strong characters involved.

"But the implied sexual tension between the couple really makes the series.

"We feel the show would collapse without them and we are now getting together to appeal to them to stay.

"Everyone within 20 miles of the village will sign the petition."

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