BBC Two is to broadcast Eric & Ernie's Home Movies, a documentary special involving footage from Morecambe & Wise's personal collections.

The hour-long documentary will look at the early days of the legendary comedy double act via the previously un-broadcast video footage.

Filmed in the 1950s and 1960s by the comedians themselves, their families and friends, some of the footage has been used in documentaries before, however this is the first time that the film stock has been made available to documentary makers in its entirety. The footage shows Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise relaxing between work engagements at home and on holiday.

The programme is being made by production company Shiver, which also produced the recent ITV3 series Morecambe & Wise Forever. In this new BBC documentary, the home footage will be combined with new interviews featuring family members, friends and work colleagues.

Executive Producer Mark Robinson explains: "Eric and Ernie's home movies are a treasure trove. We've become familiar over the decades with so many classic Morecambe & Wise sketches and routines but this gives us the chance to see Eric and Ernie in the way their nearest and dearest knew them.

"The footage shines a light on an era when they were in their 20s and 30s, newly wed, often on the road, and still building up to becoming the legends we all know them as today. We are incredibly lucky to be working with the Morecambe & Wise Estate on this programme and grateful to them for allowing us access to this private collection."

The BBC's Shane Allen adds: "This wonderfully preserved home movie footage shines a new light on what a lifelong close and special friendship Eric and Ernie enjoyed. It's really moving to see them in their private lives sharing happy times with friends and family. This Christmas marks 40 years since their huge audience special of 1977 and comes just before the 50th anniversary of their first BBC series in 1968."

Eric & Ernie's Home Movies will be shown on BBC Two during the Christmas period.