Deal Castle was awash with petticoats, top hats and bonnets as an array of top actors descended upon the Tudor fort for filming.

Matthew Macfayden, the star of Spooks and Pride and Prejudice, was at the castle for two days shooting scenes for Andrew Davies’ adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Little Dorrit, which will be screened on BBC One this autumn.

Joining Mr Macfayden was Doctor Who star Freema Agyeman, who plays Martha Jones in the sci-fi drama, and Bill Paterson, who starred in Sea of Souls.

The scenes shot at Deal Castle will form a part of the story-line set in Marseille, southern France.

For a double-page picture special see this week's East Kent Mercury.