The filming of Great Expectations in 1989 at Harty Church, starring Sir Anthony Hopkins, is fresh in the memory of warden Colin Patience.

Now Colin can get close to the action again as the cameras are set to roll on the Island once more in a retelling of the Dickens’ classic.

The atmospheric Elmley Marshes will be home to a cast and crew making a feature film, and although full details are still under wraps, KCC has confirmed that a footpath on the marshes is to be closed for 10 days and that traffic control measures are being considered to accommodate the production.

Colin recalls that Harty Church was transformed for the making of the Anthony Hopkins’ version.

He said: “Producers told me that the churchyard looked too tidy and later huge lorries arrived carrying fake trees and tombstones.”

The church proved the ideal backdrop for the famous menacing encounter between the convict Magwitch and young boy Pip, where Magwitch demands food and help to unshackle his chains.

Mr Patience only got a glimpse of Anthony Hopkins’ Magwitch from a distance, but said that he remembers the drama well.

KCC film officer Gabrielle Lindemann said: “We’re delighted that the production company for Great Expectations has chosen some of Kent’s marshes for its filming location, where the story itself is set.

“Apart from the pleasure of playing host to a major production, filming brings considerable economic benefits to the county, both during and after filming.”

She added: “This is a particularly fantastic project for Kent because of the strong Dickens’ connection here, and it’s a great opportunity to showcase our county and help boost tourism ahead of Dickens’ bicentenary in 2012.”