The Telegraph & Argus found itself in the middle of a murder investigation when one of TV's top detectives arrived at its offices.

Inspector Jack Frost, alias much-loved actor David Jason, pictured, took over the T&A offices in Hall Ings, Bradford, to film scenes for a new series of the popular crime drama A Touch of Frost.

Dozens of excited onlookers tried to catch a glimpse of the diminutive star as he filmed scenes with Crossroads and Casualty actress Jane Gurnett yesterday.

David, best known for his role as cockney Del Boy Trotter in Only Fools And Horses, didn't disappoint as he shared a joke with his fans between scenes.

Speaking exclusively to the T&A, the usually publicity-shy actor said he was delighted to be able to film inside a real newspaper office to give the drama an extra feeling of authenticity.

Taking a break between close-up shots David, dressed in Frost's trademark grey jacket and sporting a bushy moustache, said he was enjoying his time in Bradford.

He said: "I always enjoy it, it's always good to keep it light otherwise it can get a bit too serious.

"It's great to actually film in the real place, it helps you get a feel for it, but it's not what I expected at all. The press is huge - it's totally different to the ones you see in all the Hollywood movies, and it's very noisy. There are a lot more people than I expected.

"We like to keep it as authentic as possible so when we can get out and film in a real location like this it's great."

The T&A doubles for The Denton News as the grizzled detective visits an old journalist pal to dig up information on a murder linked to a property scam.

At one point Frost could be heard quizzing the paper's editor on a villain called Charlie Lightfoot and saying "I'm just sniffing around, you're the experts, who else should know more than you?"

But what can viewers expect from the new episode which is due to be shown on New Year's Day, 2003?

"Tell 'em it's about someone who thinks the aliens have landed," chuckled the actor with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Jane Gurnett, who is playing The Denton News' glamorous editor, said it was the first time she had stepped foot inside a newspaper office.

"It's absolutely deafening," she said. "It's amazing to see the press running and printing the papers.

"Doing Frost has been great fun. David Jason has been really friendly and its nice to be out on location. Crossroads is all filmed on four cameras in a studio so it's nice to get out into the real world for a change! I haven't met your editor yet, I don't know what he'll think of my performance!"

As well as the show's stars an army of cameramen, sound engineers, "grips" and "gaffers" packed into the T&A's busy press hall and advertising departments to help film the scenes.

But David Jason admitted that making a TV show wasn't as glamorous as most people think and could be quite boring for long periods of time.

He said: "Filming's all about hanging about for long periods of inactivity then ten minutes of highly charged activity and then back to waiting around again.

"It does look like there are a lot of people hanging around doing nothing but they do actually all have jobs to do."

One cast member is actor Richard Harris, 22, from Haworth, whose job is to act as David's stand-in during rehearsals.

He said: "It's a great job. The only requirement for it was you had to be 5ft 7ins and be roughly the same build. I stand in for him so they can get the lighting and sound levels right while he's in make-up or in his trailer. I'm signed up for another two series.

"He's a very nice guy. One thing I can tell you is that he likes kippers for his breakfast when he's in the catering van on location!"