NONE other than 007 himself has been spotted out and about in Lewes.

But rather than being on a job for Her Majesty's Secret Service, Daniel Craig was accompanying his wife Rachel Weisz who was on set for a new feature film.

The Constant Gardener star was on location in nearby Offham for an adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier's book My Cousin Rachel which is due to be released in 2017.

The couple stayed and ate dinner at the Pelham House in the town's St Andrews Lane on Thursday before leaving on Friday morning.

Manager Tony Giauna, who joined the hotel in September, said: "We were really pleased to welcome Daniel Craig and his wife. It was great they chose us - they complimented the chef on the food.

"They wanted somewhere where they would be treated with discretion which we did and hope they had a thoroughly enjoyable stay. It's the first famous faces to stay here since I joined and we hope to welcome many more."

Rachel will appear in the film alongside Game of Thrones' Iain Glen, Sam Claflin and Holliday Grainger.

The film is directed and has been scripted by Roger Michell, who was behind the 1999 romantic comedy classic Notting Hill.

The cast was on set in Ivors Lane at The Church of St Peter, Hamsey, and the crew was based in nearby Squires Farm for the Wednesday to Friday shoot.

Yesterday some 60 supporting actors - many who live in Sussex - were seen wandering down the lane towards the church. It is thought the leading actors completed their scenes the day before.

It is understood a nearby farmer also provided a flock of sheep to help make the filming appear authentic.

Diana Andrew, 85, who lives near the set, said: "It's all been very exciting. We've had large lorries coming and going and we were asked to move our cars so they could get through. They put gravel on the tarmac for when the horses arrived. Everyone's been extremely helpful and kind."

The crew left the set last night and will move on to locations in Devon next week.

Producer Kevin Loader said: "We spent a very long time looking for the right church and we chose Hamsey for its ancient look. It has not been ruined by the Victorians with additions and it was quiet, at the end of the lane, where we can film and have horses and carriages without blocking traffic.

"But we mostly picked it for its character. We filmed inside and outside in this absolutely beautiful area. I am a huge Du Maurier fan and this is a great psychological thriller that keeps you guessing.

"We haven't got a release date yet but it will be a feature film released some time in 2017. We hope it will be a big hit."

Factfile

DAPHNE Du Maurier's mystery romance My Cousin Rachel was published in 1951 and largely set in Cornwall.

The story revolves around Philip, a young orphan, who believes his mysterious, beautiful cousin Rachel may have been responsible for the murder of his beloved guardian Ambrose, also a cousin of theirs. As Philip plots his revenge, he finds his feelings complicated as he falls under Rachel’s beguiling spell.

The book was adapted into a film in 1952 starring Richard Burton, Olivia de Havilland and Audrey Dalton.