WINCHESTER Cathedral is closed today to allow for filming of The Crown.

The Netflix hit show has taken over the whole church today so it is closed to visitors and tourists.

It will remain open for services although there is only a 5.30pm evening prayers with entrance via the south door and not the usual main west door.

Winchester City Council this morning tweeted a photograph of extras in the Guildhall courtyard off Colebrook Street waiting to be called.

The drama, estimated to cost £100 million, follows the life of Queen Elizabeth II.

It shot several scenes of early shows in the Winchester College area around the Wykeham Arms in January 2016.

The Crown starred former Dr Who Matt Smith as a young Prince Philip and Claire Foy as Elizabeth in her younger years. It will span 60 episodes over six series.

For series three Olivia Colman and Tobias Menzies will take over as the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

The show is written by Peter Morgan who also wrote Frost/Nixon and the 2006 Oscar-winning film The Queen.

It was unclear whether any of the stars were in Winchester this morning.

The cathedral will be back to normal tomorrow.