A TV drama based on a historic mill is to get a second series.

The Mill tells the story of Quarry Bank Mill in Styal , its former owners the Gregg family and the hundreds of apprentices who worked there.

The first series shown on Channel Four in the summer was such a hit – averaging 3.2 million viewers –producers are making a second series.

It also saw a huge increase in the number of visitors at the National Trust property.

Eleanor Underhill, Quarry Bank’s general manager, said the team were delighted and the decision.

She said: “Series one has been hugely popular. During August whilst it was being broadcast, we welcomed 31,000 visitors – more than 60 per cent up on the same period last year. Quarry Bank is an amazing place and it’s great that so many people want to find out more about its fascinating history”.

The new six-part series will cover the period between 1838-1842 and focus on a time of great political change following the Poor Act Amendment of 1834. This is the time of the great chartist rallies and the birth of modern democracy with the movement for the right for working class people to vote.

Julia Harrington from Channel 4 said: “The Mill is that rare thing - a period drama that resonates with 21st century life. It is a massive pleasure to bring it back. “

Filming is scheduled to take place from February 2014.