Town Mayor Shirley Matthews received the cheque from Kingdom producer Georgina Lowe last week beside the Market Place Pedlar sign, which features in the series starring actor Stephen Fry and based in the fictitious town of Market Shipborough.

Ms Lowe said: "This is in appreciation of the warm welcome we receive in Swaffham and to thank the town council for its co-operation and enthusiasm for the project. One of our main locations is opposite the Pedlar sign and there is always a nice show of flowers there."

She said Kingdom was halfway through its current filming schedule, which continues until the end of September. "So far it's going well and we are glad to be back in the area," she added.

Mrs Matthews said: "It is a very generous gesture by the Kingdom filming company. In general, the series has been good for the town and this is a wonderful way to say thank-you.

"We are very proud of our town centre flowers and of our town – so we would like to say thank-you, too, for coming to Swaffham."

Location manager Henry Woolley, town clerk Richard Bishop and police Inspector Julian Moulton, who has been liaising with the production team on traffic-related issues during the filming sessions, were also at the handover.

Mr Bishop said: "The liaison between the production company and the town has been first class. They enjoy Swaffham and the county of Norfolk and it is great that the series has created so much interest. It is a really positive thing for the town."