Stars including Ethan Hawke and film crews descended on Thanet over the past few days to shoot a novel adaptation.

Filming has been taking place in Broadstairs and Ramsgate for an adaptation of the 2009 book Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby.

Ethan Hawke, of Before Sunrise, Chris O'Dowd of the IT Crowd and Rose Bryne of Spy, have been spotted in the towns, and will star in the film.

Crews have finished filming now but while in town many were eager to grab a selfie with the stars.

Lisa Teall, who runs the Tanning Lounge in Belvedere Road, Broadstairs had a brush with one of the stars.

Jilly Sharpe, of Belvidere Place Hotel on the same road, asked Ethan Hawke who was staying at the hotel to 'give the girls a wink' as he went by.

He decided to pop in for a quick visit, much to Lisa's delight.

She said: "He was very pleasant and lovely.

"I asked him if he had enjoyed his time in Broadstairs and he said it had been great.

"It was non-stop excitement when the stars and film crews were in town."

Kent Surf School, run by Andy and Gemma Webb, played host to the stars.

Andy said: "We hosted the stars and crews for them to do their hair, make-up and keep warm.

"They were really friendly and said they loved Broadstairs, having not been here before.

"I did offer them surf lessons but sadly they couldn't because of their busy schedule - it was such a shame!

"I had a chat with Ethan Hawke who said he'd surfed before.

"He was a cool guy.

"The filming is all great and positive for Broadstairs."

Andy put up a picture with the stars on Facebook, captioned: "Blessed to meet these famous actors and actresses.

"Rose Byrne, Denise Gough, Chris O Dowd.

"They were lovely people chatted away to us here at the surf school."

Karen Neal, from Rainham, was at the beach with her family.

She said: "We watched the filming for a bit - there wasn't too much going on to be honest.

"My sister and I were just excited to see famous people."

But opinions on a touch of Hollywood in the district has left residents divided.

While some locals are saying it’s great for the town, others were concerned about parking issues and detriment to some local businesses.

One resident said: "I don't think it's doing local businesses any good.

"Parts of car parks and roads have been shut off for varying lengths of time.

"It must be annoying residents as they can't park and means people can't access local businesses as easily."

But others have hit back saying it is great for the district as it is great publicity and is in fact helping local businesses.

One Broadstairs resident commented on a public Facebook post saying: "So good for Broadstairs.

"100 beds accommodation booked in Thanet."

The book, soon to be film, tells the story of Annie, the long-suffering girlfriend of obsessed music fan Duncan, and the object of his obsession, fictional singer-songwriter Tucker Crowe.