Families and firms in Cranbrook have been approached about plans to use shops and homes for the filming of a new murder mystery TV series.

Bosses from Acorn Media - the company behind classics such as Midsomer Murders - have contacted local firms to discuss proposals to film a three-part series called The Queens of Mystery between September and November.

A 40-strong crew is expected to be involved in the project, and bosses are insistent they will stay and spend money in the village, in a bid to boost the local economy.

Anna Nield, owner of Fancy Pants Emporium on Stone Street, is one of those in discussions with film bosses after they left a letter in her store over the weekend.

She said: “As a fancy dress shop, we’ve got a lot of costumes that you don’t really get in other shops, so they might be interested in using us.

“It’s definitely a good thing – I’m the only retail representative on the Cranbook Business Association and I keep saying we need to do more to promote the area because this is a beautiful, quaint little town that deserves to be seen by more people.”

Charlie Turner, owner of Waterloo House Tea Rooms And Gifts in Waterloo Road, says she’d jump at the chance if it arose.

“We’ve done stuff with Bargain Hunt before and I’ve also been involved in a murder-mystery thing elsewhere - it’s always a bit of fun.

“We are one of the oldest buildings in the town so I’d love to be involved.

“I’ve got different traders that operate here and within a day of people finding out everyone was emailing asking if they had seen it.”

Location manager James Davey said the project was a story about a police detective and her three aunts who often meddle and try to help: “It’s a very similar vein to Agatha Christie and Midsomer Murders but with a modern twist.”