STARS of TV and film have descended on Southend as a major show - understood to be Netflix’s The Crown - is filmed in the city.

A dramatic scene with a burnt-out car, a damaged old vehicle and piles of rubble have been spotted outside the Southend Council offices at the Civic Centre in Victoria Avenue.

Council bosses were last night keeping tight-lipped about the name of the show.

However, the Echo has been told scenes for the next season of the hit drama are being filmed in Southend.

The council says preparations have already started ahead of filming to prepare the building in Victoria Avenue, which was chosen for its architecture, so that it is ready for shooting to begin.

The council says some of the actors involved will be carrying imitation firearms as part of the filming.

The eagerly-anticipated fifth series of The Crown launched last month with Imelda Staunton playing the late Queen.

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The series also stars Jonathan Pryce as the Duke of Edinburgh, Dominic West as Prince Charles and Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana.

Filming for series six of The Crown, understood to be the final series, is now underway at locations across Europe.

It is understood the series will dramatise Princess Diana’s tragic death on screen.

Production companies have often picked Southend to be the backdrop for filming, with EastEnders and Rise of the Footsoldier all being filmed on location in the city.

Southend Airport was used in the film The Queen to portray Princess Diana’s coffin being flown back to the UK after her tragic death.

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Members of the public and council staff will still be able to get into the Civic Centre.

Southend Police Station, which is not forming part of the filming but is next door, will remain open to the public as usual.

Senior councillors said welcoming in TV crews has benefits for the city.

Paul Collins, councillor responsible for inward investment, said: “Although we are not permitted to give away any of the details about the filming or exactly what is taking place, we are keen to reassure residents that there is nothing to worry about, and they can still access their public buildings.

“We regularly have television and film production companies request to film in Southend, because they see the great benefits our city offers.”