A UNIQUE landscape on the North-East coast is being showcased to millions of viewers in a lavish historical drama.

Nose's Point, near Seaham - a double Site of Special Scientific Interest for its geology and ecology - has been used as a key location for The Last Kingdom.

It is understood film crews decamped to the County Durham coast after finding the wild and windswept landscape created by the North Sea, an ideal backdrop for scenes in the second series of the BBC blockbuster set in the 9th century world of King Alfred.

The area's dramatic and rugged coastline with its cliffs and sea stacks carved out by waves and its rare form of grassland with unique populations of plants and animals are believed to have been key factors in the location being selected.

The plot centres around a character based on Northumbria elderman Uhtred the Bold, who in 995, according to early historian Symeon of Durham, went to Durham with his monks to clear the site of the new cathedral when the remains of St Cuthbert were transferred there from Chester-le-Street.

Locations manager Martyn John said: “When Uhtred is sold into slavery, we built a traders camp at Nose’s Point, near Seaham. They get a lot of film crews up there.

“They shot one of the Alien movies there because it’s got the most amazing cliff and the iron extract in the water makes it look orange.”

County Durham has featured prominently as a filming location in recent years with the likes of popular police drama Inspector George Gently shot on location in Durham City, as well as scenes from two Harry Potter movies being filmed at Durham Cathedral.

Beamish Museum appeared in the final episode of Downton Abbey.

Dark Angel, based on the story of Victorian poisoner Mary Ann Cotton, known as Britain's first serial killer, was also filmed at the award-winning museum.

Michelle Gorman, managing director of Visit County Durham said: “Durham has always been a firm favourite for television and film-makers.

“With the broad range of spectacular landscapes and historic locations on offer here, the county really is a TV and film-maker’s dream.

“As such, having scenes from The Last Kingdom filmed at Nose’s Point, near Seaham, is great news for the county.

“Filming opportunities like these offer great exposure for Durham, helping to raise our profile and generating interest from viewers keen to visit the locations of TV shows.”

The Last Kingdom is on Thursdays on BBC2, at 9pm.