Tourism bosses have reported a massive 44 per cent increase in website hits following the broadcasting of the very first episode of the new daytime drama The Coroner.

The BBC show starring Claire Goose from Waking the Dead fame and Matt Bardock from Casualty was filmed in Dartmouth, Totnes, Salcombe and Kingsbridge and features dramatic shots of the south Devon coastline and countryside.

Within hours of the first episode being screened last Monday Visit South Devon, the official tourism body for the South Hams and Teignbridge, has reported a remarkable 44 per cent rise in traffic to its website.

Stephanie Cherrett, general manager for Visit South Devon, said: ‘The Coroner was filmed in south Devon in the spring of 2015 and shows off the raw and dramatic beauty of our coastline, countryside, towns and villages.

‘Airing during the daytime, the series has huge potential to attract visitors such as pre-school parents and retirees who are not limited to travelling during the school holidays.

‘Yesterday alone we saw our landing page on the series leap to the second most viewed page on the website and we’ll be watching closely to see if it takes the number one spot.

‘That would be great news for South Devon and for our advertisers as our landing page carries links to many of the featured locations with details of places to stay, attractions to visit and things to do.

‘That enhances the likelihood of off-peak visits and early bookings for holidays during the peak periods.’

The series follows Jane (Claire Goose), a high-flying solicitor who, after the failure of her marriage, returns to the small seaside town that she left as a teenager to take up the post of Coroner.

She finds herself forced to work with Davey (Matt Bardock), her childhood sweetheart, who broke her heart when she was a girl and is now the local Detective Sergeant.

Ten episodes of the series were filmed and those shown so far are available on BBC iPlayer.

The drama is being broadcast on BBC1 at 2.15pm weekdays until Friday, November 27.