A senior councillor was shocked when he returned home to find a dead body in his kitchen.

Hart district and Hampshire county councillor Jonathan Glen arrived back to find his home in sleepy Rotherwick sealed off and a full-scale murder probe underway.

But luckily for him the ‘murder’ was part of a day’s filming for a forthcoming episode of the popular Midsomer Murders series starring John Nettles.

Cllr Glen said: "It was so authentic that it really did look like there had been a murder at the house.

"It’s a strange feeling driving up to see the police there and your home sealed off. Your heart really does jump into your mouth."

The story of how Cllr Glen’s house came to be used as a set in the popular detective series goes back about a year when a location manager happened to be passing through Rotherwick.

"He called into the house and said do you mind if I take some pictures because we might consider using it for a future Midsomer Murders scene?" said Cllr Glen.

"We never heard anything more but then about two months ago he rang up again and asked if he could come and have another look.

"He also brought along the set designer and the props people to see what they would have to change."

"Travelling circus"

Cllr Glen described the special effects used during the filming as "phenomenal".

"They did some night filming and created their own moon with a halogen lamp," he said.

"They even had to take out our working oven and put in a mock one."

The number of people needed to do the filming also amazed Cllr Glen

"It was like a travelling circus," he said.

"There must have been 30 very large caravan-type vehicles that came with the crew.

"They were all camped in a field nearby the house and the actors just came over when they were needed.

"A lot of the make-up was done in our back garden where the actors also rehearsed their lines.

"It was also fascinating to see an accomplished actor such as John Nettles fluff his lines."

Black Book

Cllr Glen said he would not hesitate in welcoming the crew back for more filming.

"They took over our house for two days but were so polite," he said.

"They were so pleased to have us around yet they were all focused 100% on what they were doing.

"They certainly recommended that we put our house on a list of location sites so I will be contacting the economic development office at Hampshire County Council."

The episode filmed at Cllr Glen’s house has a working title of The Black Book and is due to be shown next spring.