The A Word filming locations: where in the North West of England the series was filmed - from the Lake District to Manchester

The drama follows the life of autistic schoolboy Joe Hughes and his family, and kicked off its third season two years after the events of Season 2.

Since it last aired in 2017, fans have been eagerly stopping members of the cast on the street to find out when the poignant show would be back.

In series three, Joe is now 10 and living in two places at once, processing the seismic change in his life of the divorce of his parents Alison and Paul through the filter of his autism.

The series, written by award-winning screenwriter Peter Bowker, stars Christopher Eccleston, Lee Ingleby and Morven Christie, and is set in the North West of England.

But was it filmed there?

Where was The A Word filmed?

The short answer, is 'yes'. While a lot of interior shots were shot in a studio in Manchester, on location shooting for the series took part mostly in various parts of the Lake District.

"The filming has taken place around Coniston and Keswick," said Phil McKay from Lakeside Castings. "It represents a big chance for local people and it's nice to have a bunch of extras from all walks of life.

"It's good for them to get involved and have an insight of what's going on in their village.

"It's positive that the filming went ahead despite the floods that have affected so many people in the county, it gives them a boost."

So where exactly in the Cumbrian national park was The A Word filmed?

Broughton-in-Furness

Home to just over 500 people, the small market town of Broughton-in-Furness lies near the River Duddon and Duddon Mosses, a place of interest for scientists who research deer, lizards, adders and barn owls.

Constructed to mark the Jubilee of King George III in 1810, the central obelisk in the town square is one of the location's most defining landmarks.

Coniston

Just 40 miles north of Lancaster, Coniston grew in popularity as a tourist location during Victorian times.

That was in thanks partially to the construction of a branch of the Furness Railway, which terminated at Coniston railway station.

Perhaps the village's biggest claim to fame is that it was once home to Donald Campbell, who broke four world water speed records in the 1950s.

Keswick

These days the picturesque market town has a population of just over 5,000, but Keswick is so old there is evidence there was a prehistoric settlement there.

Due to its proximity to Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lake, it used to be a popular tourist spot, and was an important mining town.

The market town's cinema - The Alhambra - is one of the oldest surviving cinemas in the country.

Thirlmere

Surrounded by fells Thirlmere is a picturesque reservoir in Cumbria.

Thanks to a dam constructed during the 19th Century, and the 96-mile long Thirlmere Aqueduct, Thirlmere provides Manchester with drinking water from its vast reserves.