Former James Bond star Timothy Dalton, who spent his school years in the town, will guest star alongside David Tennant in the television series, set to be shown on Christmas Day.

Dalton, 63, has also taken on a big screen role after voicing the character of cactus Mr Pricklepants in Toy Story 3.

The former Bond actor, who went to Herbert Strutt Grammar School, on Derby Road, when he moved to Belper with his family at the age of four, will play The Narrator in the two-part Doctor Who special.

The episode, The End Of Waiting, will mark the end of an era for fans of the sci-fi show, as it is the last time David Tennant, who has played the doctor for three years, will take on the role. He will be replaced by Matt Smith when the series returns next year.

Dalton played James Bond in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill during the 1980s. He has also appeared in many Shakespeare adaptations, and TV versions of novels including, Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, and Scarlett, a sequel to Gone With The Wind.