THEY used to be the little acts of kindness that marked a man as a true gentleman.

Now Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery is urging modern men to take a leaf out of the book of her period drama and become more chivalrous.

The 29-year-old actress who plays Lady Mary Crawley, in the costume drama, penned by Dorset’s Julian Fellowes, was asked how she thought the role of women had changed since the days of Downton, currently set during the First World War.

“We take so many of our freedoms for granted nowadays –I can travel where I like, I can have a baby when I like, I can do any job I want – but I do think chivalry has been lost a little bit,” she said.

“Those old manners - such as men standing when women arrive at the dinner table or opening doors for you – are lovely, and it's lovely when you see a man doing that today.

“But young men wouldn’t think about that for a second because it’s not the culture any more.”

But local magazine publisher Chris Biddle was not impressed: “Chivalry? Don’t get me started. The return of chivalry is a lovely idea and there are many examples of it being alive and well - but life has evolved, and with all the equality issues in today’s society, chivalry as a notion and as portrayed in Downton Abbey regretfully belongs to an age of clipped BBC accents.

“The microcosm of today’s manners is surely the London Tube. A little while ago, I offered to give up my seat to a pregnant lady – and was met with a mouthful of ungrateful sexism. As a result, young, able bodied men sit staring ahead, plugged into iPods, caring little about fellow passengers.

“However all is not lost. A door held open, a seat given up, a smile and a thank you get noticed, cost nothing – and are appreciated and always will be.”

Bournemouth mother of two Gail Hann thinks most women would love it if men were more chivalrous.

“Women love being made to feel special, it doesn’t have to be expensive gifts. I don’t think men realise that the opening of doors, a flower from the garden, love letters can mean so much.

“I think that relationships get too familiar and settled and the man thinks he doesn’t need to bother anymore and the woman gives up trying.”

Happiness coach and local author of Love Life, Live Life Sue Stone agreed: “Even though I am a confident modern girl, I am still terribly old fashioned and firmly believe ‘manners maketh the man’. How wonderful when a man opens the car door or stands up when you leave the dinner table – it still happens occasionally.”

Bournemouth housewife and mother of two Carol Rowan said good manners are important.

She said: “My pet hate is men who swear in the company of women they don’t know.

“Swearing itself is not that bad but when you don’t really know the person it can be intimidating.

“Manners are free and I am more accepting of a person if they have manners then if they don’t. I absolutely hate it when men belch or break wind.”

Tess Buckley who runs a fitness shop in Westbourne, said she loves it when a man holds open a door for her.

“I’m not too sure about giving up seat on bus or tube as that makes me feel a bit infirm but guess we had better not be choosy.”

Bournemouth fitness instructor Kate Baggio added: “I am all for it - it makes you feel special and respected.”