FANS of a hit prime time television drama could soon be allowed to tour the North Yorkshire sets.

Millions of people regularly watch Victoria, starring Jenna Coleman as the 19th Century monarch, on ITV, and plans have been submitted to authorities to allow guided tours of the standing sets just outside York.

Part of the show is filmed on sets at Church Fenton Studios and a report submitted to Selby District Council said the tours of the studio could end up becoming permanent.

It said: “The production has involved the construction of one of the world’s largest indoor static sets to replicate rooms from Buckingham Palace during Queen Victoria’s reign.

“The application seeks permission for change of use to allow guided studio tours of the Victoria set to paying members of the public alongside the continued use of the site for its consented film-making use. The application is for a temporary period of only three to four months. It is a trial-period to determine the market appetite and viability for this type of visitor experience attraction. A subsequent consent will be sought should the trial prove successful.”

The tours will be run by Continuum Attractions - the firm behind York’s Chocolate Story in Kings Square and ITV’s Emmerdale Studio Experience and Village Tour - alongside ITV, and will take in the entirety of Studio one “during Victoria’s ‘off-production’ period over the autumn and winter following completion of filming series two”.

The report said the guided tours will be limited to up to 25 guests per tour, up to a maximum of four tours per hour, running on Saturdays and Sundays between 10am and 4pm.

However, Continuum said if there was “sufficient demand during the trial period, the applicant may offer tours on weekdays”, and could create up to 30 new jobs.

Kevin Smith, group attractions director for Continuum, said: “What’s more entertaining than being transported back into history and being right there with young Queen Victoria, Lord Melvin and all the other super compelling characters.

“Well maybe a 1½ hour tour of those recreated sets with guided interpretation that immerses you in to this fascinating world of TV production in one of the world’s largest sets recreating awe inspiring rooms of Buckingham Palace.”

A decision on the plans is due in November.