Buckinghamshire is trying to boost its tourism numbers by launching a new campaign based on Midsomer Murders – despite the show being set in Oxfordshire.

Bosses are hoping its connections with the popular murder mystery programme - watched by millions of fans worldwide - could lead to a spike in visitors.

The three new Midsomer Murder tours are hoped to attract post-lockdown staycation visitors.

The Coach in Marlow

The Coach in Marlow

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Lucy Dowson, of Visit Buckinghamshire, said: "Our businesses have had a torrid time so when it's safe to do so we want to encourage people to explore.

"Lots of people will have watched Midsomer Murders in the past year and there is an appetite for locals to get out and for people to come from further afield when it's safe.

The River Thames in Marlow

The River Thames in Marlow

"The TV programme gets people into the town centres which desperately need them.

"Once in somewhere like Marlow you may just forget about the show and be attracted by all the town has to offer."

The three walking routes and a driving tour take visitors to filming locations used in the county's "quintessential English" landscape for the hit detective series.

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They include The Midsomer Marlow Trail, Midsomer on the Misbourne, and Step into Midsomer - and include pubs, churches, a brewery and a model village.

Ms Dowson said about 80 per cent of filming took place across South Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, highlighting the Chilterns' landscape and its towns and villages.

She said the drama was "particularly successful in attracting the higher-spending overseas market."

Marlow is near South Oxfordshire

Marlow is near South Oxfordshire

"Millions want to come and visit the quintessential rural England seen in the show," she added.

"Tourism initiatives like this not only add to the "feel good' factor of a place, but also play an important part in supporting local businesses by bringing new customers.

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"The Midsomer Murders hook gets them in but while here they learn other things and it builds a bigger story.

"Some areas have had a huge number of filming locations so we put them in a sensible order and include variety, give the visitor different things to see and do around the concept."

The show started in March 1997.