Scene from The Mayor Of Casterbridge filmed in Corsham High Street with actors James Purefoy and Jodhi May who starred in the ITV programmeA HOLLYWOOD blockbuster is the next logical step for Corsham after its starring role in ITV1's Christmas drama The Mayor Of Casterbridge this week.

Town council chairman Jock Fraser was delighted that millions of viewers got to see some of Corsham's finest sights and now hopes it can become an established filming venue.

The TV adaptation of Thomas Hardy's famous novel, which was filmed in Corsham and Lacock in 2000, was screened for the first time on Sunday and Monday.

In Corsham the town hall, Ethelred House and Church Street were all prominent as the 19th century classic was brought to life.

Following this high profile exposure Cllr Fraser is keen for Corsham to build on its growing reputation as a film set.

He said: "It just showed what a wonderful place Corsham is for the film companies. We are obviously trying to encourage them to use the town more.

"It's not the first time it has been used in films. Church Street and Corsham Court have been particularly popular in the past.

"It always used to be Lacock, but we can show the world what we've got. We have got some beautiful settings.

"It would be nice to have a major film shot in the town."

Hardy's story of the unstoppable tide of fate was filmed by Sally Head Productions and saw Soldier Soldier star Ciaran Hinds take on the lead role of Michael Henchard.

The Mayor Of Casterbridge is the tale of Henchard's rise from travelling haymaker to become the richest corn merchant and chief citizen in the town of Casterbridge. But his power and wealth hide a dark secret, which when revealed brings his world tumbling down around him.

Mistakenly thinking his wife (played by BAFTA award winner Juliet Aubrey) is dead, Henchard promises himself to another woman, Lucetta, who arrives from Jersey. In the TV drama a house in Lacock is used as High Place House, where Lucetta lives, while Corsham's Ethelred House became Henchard House.

Corsham Town Council gave permission for Church Street to be closed for a time while filming took place, but did not receive any money from the film company.

Like many Corsham residents Cllr Fraser had been eagerly awaiting the screening, which he felt was a great showcase for Corsham.

He said: "I thought the town hall looked very good, it came over well. When you know the place you are looking for it all the time in the film."

Corsham was also used in the BBC production of Wives And Daughters while Lacock has featured in Harry Potter, Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased) and Moll Flanders among others.