Former council offices on Sheppey could appear on television screens in Russia.

A pilot for comedy-drama Londongrad has been filmed at locations across Kent and the crew stopped off in Sheerness to shoot some final scenes.

The plot taps into the recent cultural trend of affluent Russians flocking to live in our nation’s capital and follows a group of larger than life characters getting into trouble.

It has been likened to a cross between classic UK programmes Minder and Only Fools and Horses.

It stars Nikita Efremov who is a well-known actor in Russia.

Kersh Media, a firm based near Maidstone, was hired as the UK production company.

The programme makers used Sittingbourne police station for a scene where a millionaire’s son gets drunk and disorderly.

When the director realised he needed a few extra scenes they could not go back because the station was too busy.

Some office space was needed at short notice the Kent Film Office suggested the old Swale council offices in Trinity Road, which were left empty for a year before they were taken over by charity Restoration Youth.

Head of production, Graham Majin, said Kersh Media is encouraging its eastern European contacts to work as much as they can in the county.

He said: “London is great as well but it can be very expensive and it can be very slow to move around. The message from us is come to Kent, including on the Isle of Sheppey.”

Filming has also taken place outside County Hall in Maidstone while Ebbsfleet International station doubled up as a Heathrow taxi rank.

Mr Majin, who also makes a small appearance as a Chelsea fan in the pilot, added businesses in Kent have been given a boost, such as the cafes they hired to do all their catering.

They also managed to save a 1980s Lada from a scrap heap and employed vehicle restorer in Paddock Wood to return it back to its former glory for the show.

The plan is to send the pilot to executives at the CTC Media network in Russia to convince them to commission a whole series.