CORSHAM is set to be centre stage for a second time within a month, when ITV film the recommissioned Suspicions of Mr Whicher.

Detective inspector Jonathan “Jack” Whicher, played by Paddy Considine, is to return in two new stories and the crew will film in town for one of them, The Ties That Bind.

The show is inspired by Kate Summerscale’s novel – based on the true story of a three-year-old’s murder in the village of Rode, near Trowbridge, in 1860 – in which the Scotland Yard man is sent to Wiltshire.

Filming will take place on the High Street, either side of the town hall, and adjoining Church Street, during May 19 and 20. Last week, a BBC crew descended on the same streets to film scenes for its Poldark remake.

Producer David Boulter said: “We love Corsham for its period beauty. It’s remarkably intact compared with other Cotswold towns and allows 360-degree filming in a virtually unchanged period.

“Lift your eyes above modern shop fronts and the whole town is like a period set.

“Our film is set in the 1860s, so all modern street furniture, cabling, electric lighting and road signage will be removed. In our story, Corsham becomes a bustling Wiltshire market town, so some shops will be redressed as a period apothecary, a sweet shop and an attorney-at-law.

“There will be a market along the High Street, with stalls selling game birds, fabric, wicker goods and spring produce. Various period horses and carriages and many supporting artists of all ages will bring the scene to life.

“The town hall will be used with its beautiful façade and balustrade, with a police station entrance added to the right-hand side. The red telephone box will be disguised as a police sentry box.”

The Post Office has just been painted back to white, from dark brown, after its transformation for Poldark, but it will be painted once more for next week’s role.

Owners Craig and Tracy Chaplin said: “It is great they are looking at Cor-sham for locations. It is a small inconvenience with the road being closed off, as we rely on regular and passing trade, but the crew [for Poldark] were brilliant and made sure everything ran smoothly.”

The programme is due to air this autumn.