Gemma Arteton learns how to milk cows

Rex Features

Gemma Arteton has learned how to milk cows for a role in a new BBC costume drama.

The St. Trinian's actress will play a milkmaid in a version of Thomas Hardy's classic novel Tess of the D'Ubervilles, reports The Sun.

She visited a farm in Berkeley, Gloucestershire to master her milking technique on some goats.

"She was a very confident young lady, very down to earth," said farmer Judy King. "She just got on with it all.

"She brought a bit of glamour to the farm, but she’d have a future with livestock if she wasn’t in the movies."

Arteton will play MI6 agent Fields in the 22nd 007 movie, Quantum of Solace, later this year.