Father Brown filming location was 'French fantasy'

Williams, who grew up in Bromsgrove, described the Droitwich property as a "French fantasy"

The lead in a BBC drama has praised a filming location in Worcestershire as being like a "French fantasy".

Mark Williams, from Bromsgrove, is back as Father Brown, the crime-busting clergyman based on the classic character created by GK Chesterton.

The programme returns for its 13th series with filming locations across the UK, including The Chateaux Impney in Droitwich and the theatre in Chipping Norton.

Discussing the site, which is near his hometown, Williams said the latest series had been a great one for interesting locations which had also included "the wonderful 18th Century octagonal Crown Courts in Warwick and an atmospheric ex-Nunnery in Great Malvern".

The Chateaux Impney was used as a filming location in the 13th series of Father Brown

Williams added: "My dad was a surveyor and taught me how to look at buildings, not just their architecture but how they were used, and why they were where they are.

"So one of the constant pleasures of filming Father Brown for me is the places we film in, and I always have the relevant Pevsner's 'Buildings of England' book to hand."

Executive producer Neil Irvine said: "I'm delighted that Mark Williams is back as Father Brown for a phenomenal thirteenth series, which promises to be the most exciting to date."

The new series will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer early next year.