by Jenni Horn

A chance encounter in Cooling inspired a film producer to create a documentary about the life and works of Charles Dickens.

The result, Charles Dickens’ England, will be screened on Sky Arts on Sunday.

The documentary, and accompanying book and DVD, were launched in Rochester this week by writer and producer David Wilkinson and actor Derek Jacobi, who presents the programme.

The Medway Towns feature heavily in the production, along with other towns and cities which became the settings and inspiration forDickens’ works.

Mr Wilkinson said he first had the idea of writing a Dickens documentary 16 years ago but only began filming after a visit to Cooling two years ago.

He said: “I was walking along the river in Essex, looking back across the water at the hulks at Gravesend. I decided to come over and take a look. I wanted to see if Charles Dickens’ England was still here today.

“I headed for Cooling but I got lost on the way and stopped a man to ask him for directions. He had this strong north Kent accent.

"As I was talking to him and realised he was Barkis from David Copperfield, and Dickens would have walked down a lane like this 150 years ago and spoken to a man like this and probably based Barkis on him. That’s when I knew I had to make this documentary.

“The original financiers wanted to concentrate on Charles Dickens’ London, but I said no. Kent and Medway was such an important part of, and influence on, his life and work that we had to include it.

"he documentary will be shown around the world and it will bring visitors here.”

Thelma Grove of the Rochester and Chatham Dickens Fellowship is one of the experts who features in the production.

Mr Wilkinson added: “When Thelma saw the documentary she said she had found out things about Dickens she never knew.

"hen one of the greatest Dickens experts in the world tells you that, it’s the biggest compliment you can get.”

Charles Dickens’ England will be shown in two parts on Sky Arts, starting this Sunday .

The accompanying book, with 633 photos and illustrations, is now available, priced £25.

The DVD with extended footage will be out on Monday, priced £17.99.