History channel!

New Year shooting on Jamaica Inn at Heights Church

A tiny Saddleworth hamlet has become a movie-makers’ delight.

At least once a year, crews from major TV companies or movie trek the narrow, winding lane to the iconic Royal Oak pub and imposing St Thomas’s Church at Heights, above Delph.

The churchyard has most recently been the focus of a BBC adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s novel “Jamaica Inn” which will be shown in later this year.

And the popularity of the location has brought a host of stars to share the delights of the cosy Royal Oak, run by Michael and Sheila Fancy.

The couple, who have run the pub for more than 20 years, got their first taste of fame in 2000, when comedian Steve Coogan and actress Jenny Agutter spent four days filming “The Parole Officer”.

Famed “Star Trek” star Patrick Stewart appeared in “The Eleventh Hour” there and the area began to appear on location in catalogues of film, TV dramas and spine-chillers.

Michael explained: “Actors and film crew don’t get any interference here - though locals can be surprised when they visit the pub and see people in period costume. The pub interior has appeared in some films too.”

Michael revealed that he provided hot water bottles for the cast shooting Jamaica Inn - to put inside their costumes to keep warm!

“It can get very cold here,” he added. “So the water bottles are really welcome, particularly if they are going to be on the set for sometime.”