FILM and media students at Accrington and Rossendale College have had their dreams of TV stardom dashed by cruel hoaxers.

Staff were contacted by a "production company", asking if they could provide runners and extras for the filming of the BBC's League of Gentlemen in Rawtenstall.

The college, which has provided extras for a number of hit shows including Born and Bred in the past, agreed and told excited students the news.

But when staff tried to telephone the company for further details they realised it was a hoax.

Karen Matula, head of media and performing arts, said: "We were given a few numbers to ring but when we tried, one was for Granada TV, which said it had not heard of these people, and the other was the Buckingham Palace press office.

"The students were really excited and had told their friends and families.

"It's really annoying that it's a hoax because the students had got their hopes up and thought it would look great on their CVs."