FILM crews have taken over an historic York venue for production of a major television series.

ITV's Victoria is once again filming in the city, this time at Merchant Adventurers' Hall, with production vehicles parked in Fossgate and costumed extras already seen in the gardens this morning.

Victoria, starring Jenna Coleman and Laurence Fox - who plays Lord Palmerston - is now in its third series, with filming also taking place at Church Fenton Studios, and locations around York and North Yorkshire.

Also seen on set was Tom Hughes, who is currently dating Jenna Coleman, and appears as Prince Albert, seen in these images from Visit York, at the head of what appears to be a banquet table during the shoot.

Lesley Holmes, manager of the St Leonards Hospice shop in Fossgate, had a prime view of the gardens throughout the day.

She said: “The company let us know by letter last week, so we knew it was going to happen. I think they are just here for the day. 

“With the parking out front we were trying to make sure as many people knew we were open as possible, because the shop might not necessarily catch the eyes of passers-by.

“We’re trying to work out whether it’s a court scene or school masters or anything like that. We’re all watching out to see whether we can see anybody famous.”

Later in the day, Lesley managed to get a great shot of actor and musician Laurence Fox and Prince Albert himself, Tom Hughes, in costume, relaxing between takes.

She even got a response from Laurence Fox when she tweeted the image, and said this was not the first time the shop had encountered stars in recent weeks.

Lesley said: “We’ve had a good week for celebrities, this week. Phillipe from Versaille, Alexander Vlahos, who is performing at the Rose Theatre, was in here shopping, so it’s a bit of a celebrity packed week.”