A RINGWOOD family have starred in a new advert for Center Parcs chosen from hundreds of people who applied.

The Giddings family were chosen from more than 50 families who applied to star in the advert, which premiered during Downton Abbey on Christmas Day and runs throughout January and February.

Mum Jenny, dad Ronnie, 18-year-old Lydia, 14-year-old Rory and 9-year-old Anna have been visiting Center Parcs for almost fifteen years and only entered the competition at the last minute.

“We saw an email and just caught the line that said ‘Would you like to win a holiday?’” said Jenny.

“This was Sunday night and you had to send in a DVD of the family by Wednesday. We were all working the next day, so we got home on Monday evening and it was frantic running around the garden. Lydia did all the filming and then edited it the next day.”

The family took part in the holiday centre’s Aerial Adventure, with dad Ronnie adding: “It’s been a fantastic opportunity to be one of six ordinary families taking part.”

And the couple enjoyed the experience so much they appeared as extras in two upcoming films.

The families were also invited to attend an exclusive private screening of their on-screen debut at private cinema, The Courthouse Hotel in London.

Each family walked the red carpet before watching various edits of the adverts and the individual family films.

After the screening, the families reunited for a Champagne reception.

Helen Horner from Center Parcs, said: “We were really keen to use our own guests in this advert and the Giddings family shone through in our casting session.

“In the end, it was a really easy decision to make. The families we chose were the most natural and had a real sense of fun and energy.”