IT has been a busy couple of weeks for the BBC crew who have been filming a new television series in the Cotswolds.

Ten episodes of the forthcoming show Father Brown are being filmed in Blockley as well as in various other locations in the area, including Lower Slaughter and Dumbleton.

The Reverend Grahame Humphries’ Blockley vicarage has been transformed into a 1950’s presbytery, which is featuring in the new series along with the church.

He has been getting on well with actor Mark Williams who plays the crime-solving Catholic priest, a fictional character created by English novelist G K Chesterton.

“We’ve been nicknamed Father G and Father B by the film crew,” he said.

Mr Williams, who is best known for his parts in BBC comedy programme The Fast Show and as Arthur Weasley in the Harry Potter films, said he was enjoying his time in the village.

“I’m getting to know the Cotswolds very well,” he said. “I’m having a good time. We’ve been filming in some beautiful locations.

We used the GWR which has been great fun.

“People in Blockley have been great. The food is brilliant and I’m a big fan of Wilkins the Butchers in Chipping Campden. I love shopping there.”

The village has made such a big impression on him that he has also become a member of the community shop, which is raising money for a new building.

Rev Humphries’ wife Mary said she was delighted the crew is filming in the village after putting in a good word with the BBC. “I was chuffed they decided to come here,” she said.

Scenes have also been filmed at the GWR station in Winchcombe, the old police station in Moreton and the Knot Garden, Tithe Barn and St Mary's Church at Sudeley Castle.

Castle manager Kevin Jones said: “The filming has added a bit of TV glamour to our days.”

The series will be shown on BBC1 early next year.