COLCHESTER received a humorous mention on the Christmas special of comedy classic Detectorists.

The Detectorists special, which was partially recorded in Suffolk earlier this year, aired over Christmas.

Mackenzie Crook and Toby Jones, who play the lead characters, were spotted in Suffolk at the end of the summer filming the episode of the hit series.

The show centres on the Danebury Metal Detecting Club and its members, with Crook as Andy Stone and Jones playing Lance Stater.

During the special, after Lance Stater finds a seemingly innocuous cup in a field, Andy Stone responds with uncertainty: “Oh nice, look at that… That’s err… a cup. Looks like Colchester ware, made somewhere near Colchester. That’s great, complete, looks like it’s got some age to it.”

The story comes full circle at the end of the episode with the reveal that the “simple clay cup” may in fact be the Holy Grail.

A re-enactment which follows starts with the text: “Somewhere near Colchester”.

Detectorists, which is set in a village in Essex, was primarily recorded in the Framlingham area during its original run between 2014 and 2017.

Cast and crew members were spotted in east Suffolk in August and September this year, with several scenes being shot at Saxmundham railway station – which was renamed Henburystone for filming.