MOVIE stars are descending on Dorset to shoot another major production.

Filming for children's fantasy From Time to Time, starring Dame Maggie Smith and Timothy Spall, will begin on Monday at Athelhampton House near Dorchester.

The shoot comes just a couple of months after the cast and crew from blockbuster The Boat That Rocked visited the county.

The film will be directed by actor and Oscar-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, who selected Athelhampton as the backdrop for his adaptation of Lucy Bonnet's series of books, The Children of Green Knowe.

The film's cast and crew will be descending on the country house for a three-and-a-half week shoot after delays caused by several reasons including Dame Maggie's battle with breast cancer.

Proprietor Patrick Cooke said: "It's been something they've been looking into for a couple of years. The contract has now been signed and filming will start on Monday.

"Maggie Smith hasn't been well and these projects do tend to ebb and flow in terms of getting everyone available at the right time and getting financing together but they are definitely starting this time.

"Julian Fellowes, who I have known since he moved to Dorset, has always been keen on doing something here and I said I would definitely be interested if the right thing were to come along.

"He has this film adaptation of The Children of Green Knowe and he has used the house as his main inspiration.

"They will also be filming at four or five other locations in the area such as St Mary's Church in Puddletown and the square, as well as the stables at Came House and Julian's home at Stafford House."

Mr Cooke said he is hoping the film will increase exposure of Dorset and Athelhampton House.

Athelhampton House will be closed to the public during the filming and will re-open on Sunday October 26.

Mr Cooke said: "We will be turning the whole place over for the duration of the filming."