People in North Wiltshire are used to having their fair share of celebrities mingling among them but those on celebrity watch have had plenty to take notice of in recent weeks. And the increase in stars is likely to be good for toursim.

A report just out shows that towns and villages associated with filming get a visitor boost.

Among those highlighted in the report commissioned by film and tourism bodies is Lacock, which in addition to Harry Potter has been the setting for a number of period dramas.

The village is ranked along with Bath, Padstow (of Rick Stein fame) and Port Isaac in Cornwall (setting for the Doc Marten TV drama) as being hot spots for celebrity watchers.

Hollyoaks star Jennifer Biddall (Jessica), who grew up in Corsham and went to Corsham School, has also given gossips plenty to chat about.

Miss Biddall, 21, whose parents still live in the town, was spotted shopping with EastEnders bad boy Sean Slater, played by Rob Kazinsky One onlooker said: "They looked very cosy walking around the village holding hands. They were like any other young couple just going about their business.

"It's strange when you see actors out and about leading a normal life. I am quite a big fan of both shows and so it was a double whammy for me."

And that is long before Daniel Radcliffe and co from Harry Potter descend on Lacock in October.

The television Larkrise to Candleford drama, which stars Dawn French and Julia Sawalha, caused a stir in the village of Box after locals began spotting the celebrities.

Sightings of Dawn French, who is renting a cottage just outside Box while she writes her memoirs, have included her shopping, strolling around the village and driving around Neston.

Jasvir Singh, who owns the Barnett Brothers newsagents on the High Street in Corsham, said the actress popped in for a browse before buying a paper.

"It was my wife who served her and, in all honesty, couldn't place her face at first," he said.

"After she finally twigged it was Dawn French, she said hello and asked how she was. Dawn was very polite and friendly and said that she was well and enjoying her time here. The shop was quite busy - otherwise we would have tried to have had a longer conversation with her."

Pensioner Darleen Simms, 67, who lives near Neston, spied the actress walking through Corsham High Street.

She said: "I was a bit star struck when I realised who it was but I was too modest to go and say hello.

"This is such an exciting time for the village and I am going to be on the look-out for more celebrities. It will be nice when our little community makes it onto the