Lovejoy author Jonathan Gash announced film crews will be back making a new series in Coggeshall when he unveiled a village millennium sign.

Mr Gash, of West Bergholt, has just completed the 22nd in his series of books about the antiques dealer played by Ian McShane.

Mr Gash said the new series will begin filming this winter.

The latest book begins in Coggeshall but Mr Gash promised he has avoided setting any murders in the village.

He said: "I feel a bit awful as in my books I have set a few murders there, including the murder of a priest. At the unveiling I said it was about time Coggeshall got a better press, so I promised I would do my best to make sure nothing bad happens."

Mr Gash, formerly of Lancaster moved to Essex 30 years ago and said he was honoured to be asked to take part in yesterday's ceremony.

He said: "Coggeshall is such a beautiful village with such a lot of history. It was a wonderful day for all involved."

The sign was commissioned by the parish council to mark the millennium and celebrate the town's heritage.

The solid oak sign was carved by local craftsman Gordon Nield with one side depicting a scene of the 15th Century Coggeshall Abbey and the other showing a medieval scene when the village was a centre of wool and cloth.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.