A boat currently moored in West Bay is reportedly to be part of a major movie production being filmed in West Dorset.

The 'Lydia Eva' arrived in the harbour this week and it is understood will appear in scenes for Warner and the Roald Dahl Story Co's upcoming film 'Wonka', reportedly being filmed at Lyme Regis' historic Cobb harbour next month, with fishermen and businesses in the area offered a sum to cover disruption to their work.

Oscar-nominated actor Timothée Chalamet is set to star as the iconic inventor Willy Wonka in this new adaptation, based on characters created by Roald Dahl for his novel 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'.

The story will focus on a young Willy Wonka and his adventures prior to opening his famous chocolate factory, with several musical numbers set to feature in the film.

This marks the third time Warner Bros has taken on the Willy Wonka story. The first in 1971 starred Gene Wilder and the second in 2005 starred Johnny Depp in the lead role.

Plot details are unknown but there are unconfirmed reports that the filming in Lyme Regis will include a snow scene on the Cobb with the steam drifter 'Lydia Eva' visiting the harbour for the production.

Built in 1930 and based in Great Yarmouth, the boat is the world's last surviving steam-powered herring drifter and is currently moored in West Bay, reportedly ready to visit Lyme Regis on Monday evening ahead of filming next month.

This will be the third time in three years that Lyme Regis has played host to a major movie production.

Scenes from 'Ammonite', based on the town's famous fossil hunter Mary Anning, were filmed in Lyme Regis in 2019, with Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet and co-star Saoirse Ronan causing much excitement.

'Fifty Shades of Grey' star Dakota Johnson was spotted at Lyme Regis harbour filming scenes for a new adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Persuasion' in June of this year.

The Cobb has previously been included in several versions of 'Persuasion' and most famously featured in the opening scene of 'The French Lieutenant's Woman' – the 1981 film adaptation of Lyme Regis author John Fowles' novel.

Don't forget to sign up to our newsletter below!

You can submit your own news straight to Bridport Nub News by using the 'Nub It' button on our home page. This can also be done for events on our What's On page and businesses, groups and organisations on our Local Listings page , also by using the 'Nub It' button.

Please like and follow our online newspaper on your favourite social media channel. You can find us @BridportNubNews on Facebook and Twitter.