The face that launched a thousand ships has been recreated in a new television documentary thanks to two experts from the University of Birmingham.

Helen of Troy, due to be broadcast on Channel 4 this weekend, attempts to dispel the myths surrounding the Greek beauty who sparked the Trojan War.

The authentic costumes, jewellery and striking makeup in the show were painstakingly created by Diana Wardle, from the University of Birmingham's Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity, and Julia Hyland, from the Centre for the History of Medicine, over a period of three months.

In addition, ancient history graduate Sophia Vasiliou, aged 22, of Oldbury, who achieved a first from the university in May, was picked to model the clothes in a section of the programme that illustrates the grooming process for the regal Greek women of the time.

"Filming took a day," said Sophia. "I was sat in front of a mirror having my make-up applied while the cameraman zoomed in close.

"It was weird. As each layer of make-up was applied, I felt more and more removed from myself.

"You can see how it was quite ceremonial. It's like putting on a mask and becoming someone new."

In another part of the show, the costumes are worn by real actors to recreate scenes of events from the epic Mycenaean period.

When approached by producer Jessica Taylor of Lion TV to work on the documentary, Ms Wardle enlisted the help of theatrical make-up specialist Hyland - an old friend she had worked with before on a 'Mycenaean make- over' day at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

The pair, who both live in Moseley, produced the costumes based on extensive research and experiment into the materials available at the time, and close study of the illustrations that have survived from 3,500 years ago.

Ms Wardle, who specialises in Bronze Age Greece, said: " Today there are still Nomadic tribes who make all their clothing from lamb to loom and this has been done for centuries, so it's quite interesting to see if you can recreate the ancient costumes using these same methods."

Such a process was not possible for the make-up, as Ms Hyland, who is studying the harmful effects of ancient cosmetics, explained.

"It's toxic. It would give you brain swelling, kidney failure, liver damage. You would have the shakes. It would make your teeth fall out. It's nasty stuff," she said.

"Shockingly, it's still used today. It's illegal to bring into this country but can still be found in some shops in London."

Thankfully, for Ms Vasiliou, clown white paint was used instead, along with a substance - similar to children's powder paint - to paint large red motifs on each cheek and black lines around the eyes.

In another coup for Birmingham, many of the materials used in the costumes were sourced locally, including bronze for the mirror from a metal stockholder in Spring Hill, an ostrich egg from the Moseley farmers' market and various treasures from the Rag Market.

"Birmingham's great for securing hair," added Ms Hyland. "And other materials. We got a lot of stuff from Soho Road, and everyone has been so helpful."