HIT singer songwriter Chris de Burgh has been filming in Weymouth ahead of the release of a concept album based on the classic novel Moonfleet.

The Lady in Red singer spent several days shooting a documentary to accompany album tracks at Wyke Regis and elsewhere in Dorset.

Mr de Burgh was filmed performing with the choir of All Saints Church, Wyke Regis and at Moonfleet Manor, where he spent a few nights.

The rector of All Saints Church, The Rev Deb Smith, said the singer asked to film at All Saints’ Church because of its connection with the Moonfleet novel.

She said: “I had a phone call from Chris de Burgh’s management team out of the blue asking if he could film here.

“I understand Moonfleet is one of his favourite books and he wanted to come to the area where it was set.

“He wanted to film in All Saints’ graveyard because of its connection to the book.

“He was singing different sections of Psalms that appear in the book as part of a smugglers’ code.

“I joked that he should film with the choir but he actually did.

“He was a very nice man and very interested in the church and its history.”

Lifelong Chris de Burgh fans David and Meryl James, of Heathwood Road, Westham, met their musical hero while he was filming in Wyke Regis.

All Saints’ deputy church warden and choir member Mrs James, 68, a retired production line worker at a Granby Industrial Estate firm, said: “We went through one of his new songs with him about five times to learn it.

“Then we sang it very quietly while the crew filmed, because it was already recorded with a backing track.”

She added: “David and I have been to Bournemouth lots of times to see Chris de Burgh, so it was lovely to meet him.

“We’re big fans and we got our copy of The Love Songs CD signed.

“He was so nice to everyone and was absolutely lovely.”

Retired underwater weapons technician Mr James, 65, said: “He was a very nice, approachable man and gave all the ladies of the choir a hug after the shoot.

“He was just very relaxed and very willing to talk to all the people.

“After they finished, Chris played his guitar and sang Sealed with a Kiss by Brian Hyland.”

A spokesman for Chris De Burgh’s management company said: “Chris is recording a new album called Moonfleet and Other Stories, which is due out in October.

“He wanted to visit the area where the book was set to film a documentary that will accompany the album.

“Chris was in the area for a few days and he had a great time.

“He said he thought it was a beautiful part of the country.”

Mr de Burgh filmed at Wyke Regis, Moonfleet Manor, Chesil Beach, Winspit Caves and the Square and Compass at Worth Matravers, Salterns Marina in Poole and around Purbeck.