BOLTON took centre stage yesterday as the town prepared to once again play a starring role hit psychological thriller Bancroft.

The drama, starring Broadchurch’s Sarah Parish, showcased Bolton to a national and international audience after it became one of ITV’s best performing series of 2017.

The production company was back this week to film in one of Bolton’s most stunning parts, Le Mans Crescent.

Roads in and around Bolton Town Hall were cordoned off to traffic as stars of the ITV drama prepared to shoot scenes inside and outside Bolton Town Hall.

Parish, who filmed under the arches and inside the town hall in 2017 returns to the role of ruthless Elizabeth Bancroft in four new episodes.

Patrick Schweitzer said: “After the overwhelming audience response to the first series Tall Story are delighted to be working with Sarah Parish again to bring back Kate Brooke’s fantastic love to hate character Bancroft.”

Bancroft is the latest series to be filmed in the town, which has become a popular location with television and film companies.

The first series averaged 6.7 million viewers and a 25.1 per cent share of the available audience ­— and was distributed internationally putting Bolton on the global stage.

Phil Collinson, producer of the first series told how he deliberately chose the town as the location for series, describing Le Mans Crescent as “incredible” with echoes of Paris or New York.

The architecture has provided the backdrop to BBC’s Peaky Blinders starring Hollywood stars Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy. British stars were seen filming just outside the town hall.

The road was cordoned off and vintage cars parked neatly around it, with male cast members wearing caps and carrying umbrellas.

The area had been chosen because it resembled a London street.

Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke also visited Bolton Market for the filming of Spike Island while Life on Mars was filmed on location in Great Lever. 

Shameless and Last Tango in Halifax have also been filmed in Bolton.

Bolton School was used for scenes in Last Tango in Halifax, with Sarah Lancashire filming in the landmark building.

One of the most well known is that of Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights, which was filmed at St Gregory’s Social Club in Church Street, Farnworth — near to the comic’s own birthplace.

The spin-off Max and Paddy was also filmed in the borough.

Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Culture and Sport, Cllr John Byrne, said: “Bolton has a well-earned reputation as an excellent film location and we always do our best to accommodate any requests which come our way.

“With our transport links, beautiful buildings and welcoming people it’s easy to see why production companies choose Bolton as the setting for everything from soap operas to big budget dramas.

“Filming also brings our town many benefits, not least the opportunity to appear on prime-time television and show millions of people what Bolton has to offer.”