PUZZLEWOOD, the ancient open-cast iron mine near Clearwell, has been the subject of huge speculation and international media interest, as it emerges that parts of the latest Star Wars film are being created there.

However, a technical worker who was called to the filming site, has exclusively revealed to the Review that it is part of the latest instalment of the worldwide smash that is being filmed here.

He said: "This is definitely Star Wars VII, and I have been on site for a short while this weekend.

"I heard that they are filming two scenes here, one being a recreation of the Ewok's village on the wooded planet of Endor - as seen in the 1983 film Return Of The Jedi. "The other scene is of Jedi Master Yoda's exile planet of Dagobah."

Speculation mounted over the weekend, as a huge number of trucks and temporary buildings, hospitality units, enormous motor-homes and generators, arrived on site – to completely cover both the car park for the visitor attraction, and also the adjacent field.

Bemused locals watched the development, as the infrastructure for the film production unit for the film, Star Wars Episode VII, swung into action.

Staff at Puzzlewood and Lucasfilm, the production company responsible for the Star Wars series were staying tight-lipped as the Review went to press.

The Review's source added: "I have seen big budget productions before, having worked both at Pinewood and Shepperton studios in the past – but the sheer scale of this filming unit beggars belief.

"The security operation alone is absolutely massive."

He also reported that the catering and hospitality tents and areas were "big, and need to be, there are hundreds of technicians and staff there."

Among those intrigued by the sudden influx which filled the large car park at Puzzlewood was one resident who lives nearby, but who did not want to be named.

He said: "A huge number of vehicles arrived at about 10am on Sunday.

"Nobody is saying anything about what is going on. I spoke to a PCSO (Police Community Support Officer) who just told me he couldn't say anything.

"There's been loads over Facebook about it saying it was Merlin but I've seen Merlin and Doctor Who being filmed around here and this is much, much bigger."

Intense media interest, and the arrival of several television units who were firmly discouraged from trying to access the site, resulted in large plastic screens being placed around the film unit 'village' on Monday to prevent prying lenses from catching any footage of events inside.

Amusingly, a security guard interviewed on a BBC local bulletin aired on Monday, filmed standing in front of the enormous number of workers and vehicles on site, replying to the question of what was being filmed there, said "It's Countryfile".

Helen O'Kane, manager of Puzzlewood, refused to be drawn on any aspect of the filming when the Review spoke to her on Tuesday, particularly on how long the unit will be filming there, but the scale of the production village would suggest that they intend to be here for several weeks.