Llandeilo businesses were graced with the presence of a world famous actress this week.

Staff and guests at the Cawdor Hotel in Llandeilo and shoppers at Mari Thomas Jewellery were treated to a surprise visit from Dame Judi Dench on Thursday, July 5.

The Skyfall star is currently filming in the area for Andy Goddard's movie, Six Minutes to Midnight, which also stars Eddie Izzard.

The film is the story of a teacher at an elite finishing school on the English coast who gets caught up in a Nazi conspiracy.

The actress will be portraying Miss Rocholl, the stern school headmistress.

Beverley Newton, who has worked at the Cawdor Hotel for two and a half years but has been a part of the Morgans group for 12 years, told The Guardian: “The visit was a complete surprise.

“We had no idea that Judi Dench was coming to the hotel.

“She stayed for a couple of hours and she enjoyed champagne, profiteroles and strawberries in the courtyard in the sunshine.

“She said that they were best profiteroles that she’d ever had which was lovely feedback for our head chef Gavin Oram.

Guests and staff alike were shocked at being in the presence of the actress and all wanted a picture with the star.

“She was very pleasant,” added Beverley.

“People were going up to speak to her and to ask her for a photograph and she was happy to have photos and to chat to everyone.”

Dame Judi is not the first famous face to through the Cawdor’s doors.

Over the years, the hotel has welcomed the cast of Top Gear, Hairy Bikers, comedian Jack Whitehall and Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria.

As well as sipping on champagne, Dame Judi ended up going home with jewellery inspired by the alcoholic beverage.

Mari Thomas, owner of the jewellers, said: "It's not everyday you get Dame Judi Dench walking through the doors.

"It was lovely to see hear and she ended up buying little 18ct gold stud earrings from my Bubbles Collection.

"She said it was a great idea that my collection was inspired by champagne bubbles and she liked the design."

The actress was also spotted enjoying Joe’s Ice Cream earlier last week as well as doing a bit of shopping at Tesco Carmarthen.

According to Joe's Ice Cream, the executive producer of Six Minutes to Midnight recently treated the whole cast to a 120ml tub of vanilla Joe's Ice Cream from the Llanelli parlour.

Jerry Lockett, Dame Judi's personal driver said she loved the ice cream and described it as "wonderful".