ITV's Are You Being Serviced? has made stars of two of Blackburn with Darwen Council workers who unblock drains. Reporter DANNY BRIERLEY finds out why fame isn't going to Derek Wilkinson and Peter Trueman's heads

THE Jetting Crew have a secret weapon which they claim is indispensable in their daily war against blocked drains.

It isn't the lorry which carries 2,000 litres of water ready to be gushed into manholes, or the water jets they use to shift troublesome blockages.

The one thing Peter and Derek rely on more than anything is "th'ook".

Peter explained: "When I first saw myself on television I couldn't believe what I looked like and how I sounded.

"The first thing I said was, 'I'll go and get th'ook' and people have been taking the mickey ever since".

The hook, as it is also occasionally called, is used to delve deep into manholes to give blockages a persuasive nudge in the right direction.

And in the garden of a house in Feniscowles yesterday "th'ook" proved to be invaluable. It cleared a drain blocked full of kitchen fat, water and sewage in a matter of seconds, a pool of murky brown water sinking away satisfyingly.

Derek and Peter agree, they agree on almost everything and appear to have a mild psychic link, that they look different on the small screen. But neither complains and both admit to enjoying their new notoriety. Derek said: "We have been recognised and I've had a free haircut, so it's not been too bad. Once you got used to being filmed it was alright. We enjoyed it."

The men, who both live in Blackburn, have become firm friends since beginning work together two years ago.

Derek has worked for the council for 18 years and is a former binman. Peter has been with the authority two years longer and has done a variety of jobs.

The Jetting Crew spent 25 hours being filed during the summer and have starred in two episodes of Are You Being Serviced? at 8pm on Thursdays, but they reckon there's more to come before the series ends in three weeks' time.

A sign of how things have changed came in Feniscowles, where a friendly couple, armed with cups of tea, told Peter and Derek they are fans.

"I was about to ask you two for your autographs", the woman said.

The couple say they have watched every episode and have been grateful for the insight into how Blackburn with Darwen Council works.

Before the trip to Feniscowles the Jetting Crew were called to a Blackburn primary school. Watched by the caretaker at Longshaw Juniors in Park Lee Road, Derek and Peter use their skills to clear a rainwater pipe.

After half and hour the reason for the blockage becomes apparent. The drain was backing up because an old mop head was lodged against tree roots which have grown through the pipes.

According to Derek it's a common problem.

"We get these all the time," he said. "They work their way in through the pipes and keep on growing. Sometimes the drain has to be dug up, or the tree chopped down."

On this occasion the problem doesn't appear to be too bad and after clearing the manholes the lads are clearing up ready for their next job.

"Every job is different. Some people may say it's all blocked drains, but we love being out and about and every one has different challenges", Peter added.

In the meantime Peter and Derek will carry on doing what they do best, keeping the water and sewage flowing underneath our feet, with a smile on both their faces.

They don't know if their TV appearances will lead to fame and fortune, but as they both joked: "It won't change us!"