SWANAGE railway station will close for two days this month while shooting takes place on Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk.

Heritage railway workers are remaining tight-lipped about the exact details, but the company has confirmed the filming is for a Second World War drama set in 1940.

Last week the Daily Echo ran a story revealing Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy and One Direction's Harry Styles would be in Swanage to shoot scenes for Dunkirk, which will be released next year.

During the Second World War, in 1940, Dunkirk was the scene of the mass evacuation of more than 338,000 allied troops, who had retreated in the face of the German advance. This evacuation, also known as the Miracle of Dunkirk, was aided by the hastily-assembled fleet of more than 800 ships.

Swanage Railway Company chairman Trevor Parsons said: "We can't give further details of the filming for contractual reasons."

No passenger trains will run between Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross and Swanage on July 25 & 26 while the filming is scheduled.

The bus stops, Co-op supermarket, health centre and taxi ranks in front of the Swanage station building will remain open throughout the filming.

Mr Parsons said: "We apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment that may be caused to the public because of the filming which we are confident will benefit not just the Isle of Purbeck but also other parts of Dorset – attracting visitors to see the filming location and bringing more film and TV production to the area.

"The filming is good for Swanage and the Swanage Railway, it's good for the Isle of Purbeck and east Dorset – and it's also good for showing that the area is willing to work with business."

During the two days of filming at Swanage station, a frequent passenger diesel train service will be operating between Corfe Castle and Norden stations and beyond on to the Swanage Railway's newly completed four-mile extension to the River Frome – within sight of Wareham.