STARS of the hit television series Downton Abbey have been filming in the North-East .

Stars Michelle Dockery and Laura Carmichael were spotted filming the fifth series at Alwick Castle, in Alnwick, Northumberland, after producers selected the location for the Christmas special and some scenes for the fifth series.

Laura, who plays Lady Edith, and Michelle, who is known for her role as Lady Mary, were both dressed in period coats and hats as they took a stroll by the riverside in the Pastures opposite Alnwick Castle.

Two vintage Rolls Royces were also spotted travelling down The Peth and over the Lion Bridge.

Earlier in the week, leading cast members Hugh Bonneville, as Robert Crawley, Kevin Doyle, who plays Joseph Molesley, and Rob James-Collier (Thomas Barrow) have been seen in the Northumberland town.

Alnwick Castle is best-known for being the wizarding school Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films.