A QUIET village near Dorchester has been transformed by the invasion of a German and Austrian film crew.

The village of Plush has been turned into a film set for a week as the continental crews film an adaptation of a book by American author Martha Grimes.

The story, which is called The Man with a Load of Mischief, comes from the writer’s series about fictional English detective Inspector Jury.

The film crews have taken over the village pub in Plush, the Brace of Pheasants, and have rebranded it The Jack and Hammer for the duration of the filming.

Publicans Phil and Carol Bennett have published a message on their website alerting customers to the closure and apologising for any inconvenience caused.

Set manager for the production Mark Brugger said everyone from the crew had been delighted with the welcome they had received from local residents and their hospitality during the filming.

He said: “Everyone has been very friendly and very polite.”

Mr Brugger added that the location had lived up to expectations and filming had gone smoothly.

He said: “It worked well and everyone is happy.”

One villager, who did not wished to be named, said the film crews had got on well with the locals and they were enjoying having them in Plush.

She said: “They gave us a bottle of wine which was nice and my husband enjoyed going up to see them the other night, there was some fake rain.

“It hasn’t been disturbing at all and it would be fun to see Plush on television.”

She added: “The finances have probably helped the pub so we are all supportive in the village because of the financial input.”

The film is a co-production between German public broadcaster ZDF and Austrian firm Crazy Film and is expected to air on German television in around six months’ time.

Mr Brugger said he was not able to say at this stage whether the film would make its way to English television screens.