BBC bosses have revealed tours of the set of River City have proved so popular they are fully booked for months in advance.

Hordes of fans of the TV soap have been rushing to book their place in a sightseeing visit to fictional town Shieldinch in the hope of catching a glimpse of Shellsuit Bob and co.

BBC Scotland's 1.5-hour guided walking tours of the set of River City are due to continue until September and are already booked up by visitors until June.

A pilot scheme attracted about 1,000 soap fans last summer, but BBC bosses are hoping to accommodate 1,500 this year.

Numbers are limited because the tours can take place only at weekends, when no filming is going on.

Four tours are held per day with visitors getting the chance to walk round the streets of Shieldinch and explore the studio sets.

Last night the BBC admitted they were delighted at the high demand for the tours.

A spokeswoman said: "The tours began in 2004 on an ad hoc basis because people asked for them, then they went off and spread the word.

"After a pilot last year we decided to increase the tours and offer a more regular programme.

"But it is surprising how people confuse the actors with the characters.

"When Shellsuit Bob fell in the Clyde, you would be amazed how many people stopped Stephen to ask if he was all right."

Characters such as Shellsuit Bob, a feckless but loveable rogue, played by Stephen Purdon, have become national institutions.

Last night Wendy Cairns, one of the River City tour guides, buyer on the show, said hours of work had gone into making the sets look authentic.

She added: "We have to research all of these places, sometimes for up to five months before they can be built.

"To create the kitchen in the Tall Ship bar and restaurant, we had to observe what chefs keep in the fridge and even what knives they use.

"We even have real beer in the Tall Ship so that the pints the actors pull have a head - but it is quickly swapped for low-alcohol lager if somebody has to take a drink."