TV's latest star: man who paves way for Downing Street dignitaries

It may not be the most glamorous job, but the man responsible for keeping the Downing Street pavement smooth is to star in a TV documentary.

Pat Murphy, Westminster's highways inspector, is one of the council workers who have inspired the Channel 5 programme, London: The Inside Story.

The six-part series follows council staff as they go about their jobs helping to keep the City running.

Cameras trail workers as they deal with anything from Soho's illegal sex shops to hosting Hollywood film premieres.

Mr Murphy, 46, who has worked for the council for a year, said he was filmed on his monthly visit to Downing Street. "The cameras were with me when I was doing some footway re-levelling on Downing Street," he said.

"We were doing that to make sure no foreign dignitaries fall over when they are visiting. I like to say that if I don't do my job correctly, heads of state will roll.

"My main role is to make sure the general flow of traffic is not hindered by any obstruction on the highway.

"I do everything from dealing with the Parliament Square protesters to visiting Downing Street to do some maintenance."

Mr Murphy added: "Initially I was anxious about the filming but it was an opportunity to convey to people what a highways inspector does."

Jacqueline Trisk, series producer for documentary maker Popkorn TV, said: "When you think of a council you imagine it consists of a lot of people going from one meeting to another, drowning in paperwork.

"The most fascinating thing for me has been getting behind the scenes and discovering a whole host of jobs that I never knew existed, from arranging funerals to eradicating bed bugs."

The leader of Westminster council, Colin Barrow, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to see just how much the council does and to give credit to all our staff who work so hard behind the scenes."

London: The Inside Story will be aired on Channel 5 tomorrow at 8pm.