Stars descend on Lyme Regis for Ammonite

Hollywood actress Kate Winslet was seen on set this morning.

The Oscar-winner is appearing alongside Saoirse Ronan in the film, which follows a fictitious relationship between the famous fossil hunter and another woman.

The area around Bell Cliff and Cobb Gate have been transported back to the 1840s and Kate, playing Mary, was seen venturing into 'Anning's Fossils and Curios.' 

STAR ROLE: Kate Winslet filming Ammonite in Lyme

Producers have closed a section of the pavement from the Seasalt shop down to the steps leading to Cobb Gate car park to pedestrians.

This will allow the film crew to build a two-storey fake Georgian house front outside the Seasalt shop and install a fake stone wall in front of the bus shelter above Cobb Gate car park.

Sneaky visit to Lyme Regis on the bus to see the film set (Ammonite) - there’s a story behind it but I’ll keep that to myself ! pic.twitter.com/WI9wtAryBg

— Darren Rogers (@1965Djr) March 9, 2019

Much excitement around town as the area around Bell Cliff is being transformed into an 1840s film set as the filming of ‘Ammonite’ is due to commence starring Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan. #ammonite #lymeregis #dorset #maryanning #fossils pic.twitter.com/oxF5ZpMFdS

— Love Lyme Regis (@ILoveLymeRegis) March 9, 2019

Filming is taking place along the harbour, Cobb and Monmouth Beach across eight days over the next two weeks. Today was the first day of filming and you can see all the pictures here.

The film has been described as 'fantastic' for the area and Lyme Regis town councillor Jeff Scowen, tourism committee member, hopes it will 'put Lyme on the map' and 'do for Lyme what Broadchurch did for West Bay.'

Producers have submitted requests to Dorset County Council to use the highways, possibly remove three street lamps and to book the four parking spaces below Seasalt to operate a stop/go traffic management system.

They have ensured any work done to any of the buildings will be temporary, non-destructive and returned to ‘as-found’ condition.

The film, developed by See-Saw Films, the British Film Institute and BBC Films and written and directed by Francis Lee, will be set in 1840s England and follow Anning as she becomes a nursemaid for a wealthy woman from London.

The film's plot has received mixed reaction, with some trepidation the focus on Anning’s relationships will override her scientific achievements and others praising the exploration of her sexuality.

The town last hit the big screen in an adaptation of John Fowles’ The French Lieutenant’s Woman, released in 1981.

The blockbuster – starring Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons – was adapted by Harold Pinter and later nominated for five Academy Awards.

See-Saw Films and representatives for Lee have been contacted for comment.