FILMING of a Hollywood blockbuster is set to commence in Dorset next week.

Excitement is building ahead of scenes being filmed on the Lyme Regis Cobb for Warner Bros and the Roald Dahl Story Co’s upcoming movie ‘Wonka’.

Filming on the Cobb in Lyme Regis is expected to take place on Monday, October 11 and Tuesday, October 12.

Wonka is a brand-new adaptation based on the characters created by children’s author Roald Dahl for the 1964 novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and will focus on a young Willy Wonka and his adventures before he opened his famous chocolate factory.

Historic vessel Lydia Eva will be used for the scenes showing a passenger steamer bringing a young Willy Wonka - played by Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet - to England. The vessel, built in 1930 and now restored as a floating museum, arrived at Lyme Regis harbour last month.

The film will feature a number of Hollywood stars, including an Oscar-winning actress very familiar with the area.

Oscar-winner and Broadchurch actress Olivia Colman will be among the stars set to appear in the feature length musical, along with Rowan Atkinson, Sally Hawkins and Matt Lucas.

Along with the Lydia Eva, pre-production crews are already in Lyme, as preparations begin for the filming.

Brian Larcombe, mayor of Lyme Regis, said: "It's obvious that there is a real value to filming taking place in the town. There's certainly a lot of interest but in the past it has really picked up once the filming starts taking place.

"People have become somewhat accustomed to filming happening in Lyme Regis, it's become part of everyday life.

"Usually the excitement begins to pick up once filming starts and everyone gets to see what's going on.

"There are some pretty big names have been announced so hopefully some of them could be appearing in Lyme Regis."

He added: "Filming in the area is always good for the town as it reminds people across the UK who we are and where we are, it's great publicity for us and its free."

Lyme harbour is expected to see a boost from filming scenes for the movie with income from the film production and a potential influx of tourists wishing to watch the filming.

According to Lyme Regis Town Council, public access to the Cobb will be restricted during filming, but full access will be maintained while the set is being dressed.