HOLLYWOOD stars are set to descend on Dorset after all, as filming for a new Mary Anning film has been confirmed to start next month.

Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan will star in Ammonite, which reportedly follows a fictitious relationship between the famous fossil hunter and another woman.

The film, written and directed by Francis Lee, will be set in 1840s England and follow Anning as a nursemaid for a woman from London.

Ammonite Fossil Films Ltd has approached Lyme Regis Town Council for consent to film on their land, below Bell Cliff and on Monmouth Beach, and filming will also take place at the harbour and Cobb.

Directors have proposed eight days filming in the town, with set-up dates from end of February to early March and shooting later on in March, with possible extension due to weather. It is anticipated for the crew to work between 7am and 9pm on weekdays only.

During that time, they want to close a section of the pavement from the Seasalt shop down to the steps leading to Cobb Gate car park to pedestrians.

They have submitted requests to Dorset County Council to use the highways, to possibly remove three street lamps, to book the four parking spaces below Seasalt, to operate a stop/go traffic management system. The team are also asking West Dorset District Council to book parking spaces in Cobb Gate and Holmbush car parks.

The filming crew want to build a fake, two-storey Georgian house front outside the Seasalt shop and install a fake stone wall in front of the bus shelter above Cobb Gate car park. They say they are engaged in ‘extensive consultation’ with local businesses.

They have promised that any works done to any of the buildings will be temporary, non-destructive and returned to ‘as-found’ condition.