FIRST Vogue, then Prada, now Silent Witness!

It seems Canvey is becoming the trendy destination for media-savvy producers and glossy magazine photographers.

Could this be the start of glamorous things to come?

In recent months, stars from the big and small screen have descended on the island to sashay in front of the camera, so why is it the island is so sought-after?

When Milan fashion house Prada was hunting for a location to film its autumn/winter campaign it could have gone to glamorous New York, Rome or even London.

Instead, Canvey seafront was to be the unlikely choice for international fashion photographer Annie Leibovitz and her model, A- list actor James McAvoy.

The Last King of Scotland and X Men Days of Future Past star is seen strolling seductively along the seawall modelling an expensive Prada coat and sunglasses in a series of brooding black and white photos, taken in May for Prada’s latest campaign.

The shoot was described by Prada as incorporating “concrete stairwells, rugged coastline, a moody backdrop paying homage to the German avant-garde”.

On Tuesday, crews were back again – this time from the BBC as they filmed a forthcoming episode of crime drama, Silent Witness.

Irish actor David Caves was seen on set getting into character as pathologist Jack Hodgson, with scenes filmed along the seawall and at the the Lobster Smack, which was renamed ‘The Old Lag’ for the episode, which centres on an investigation into the murder of a young police officer.

These are just the latest high-profile visitors to pay homage to the island.

Vogue magazine has selected Canvey as the backdrop to its glitzy shoots in the past, as have other glossy publications.

So, just what is attracting them to Canvey?

One of the plus points for Canvey is thought to be its proximity to London, the fact it’s quieter than many other seaside towns where filming fees would be considerably less than in the capital.

Permission for film crews to shoot on the island has to be granted by Castle Point Council.

Ann Horgan, the council’s head of governance, said: “Over the past two years, eight licences have been issued to film in the borough – mainly on Canvey.

“A request is usually made to the council for consent to film through a production company. The cost of the licence varies, depending on where filming is taking place, for how long and what is planned.”

Ray Howard, Castle Point and Essex county councillor, who has devoted 46 years of his life to serving and promoting Canvey, said he wasn’t surprised the island was becoming a favourite among directors and producers.

He said: “We’ve got so much here, why wouldn’t they want to come? The seafront has been totally rejuvenated.

There is the historic Labworth Cafe, our new, fantastically- designed college and, of course, Canvey Wick, where you’ll find wildlife not seen anywhere else in the country. We are proud of all these things.

“Canvey has been a popular choice for film crews over the years but, yes, it does seem it’s taking off all the more again, which is fantastic news. I’d love to see even more film directors choosing to come here – we are open for business and will be thrilled to see them.”

Even 150 years ago – when the humble book was the blockbuster of the day – the island was getting in on the act.

The Lobster Smack was said to be a favourite of Charles Dickens, who mentioned the pub and its “Dutch four poster beds” in Great Expectations.

Along with the Isle of Sheppey, Canvey is also the setting for the 2002 novel Behindlings by novelist Nicola Barker, who admits she has fondness for “bleak, isolated settings”.

But it seems there’s nothing bleak about Canvey’s future as a fashionable filming location.

Mr Howard added: “When it comes to Canvey, I’ve always got a lot of good things to say, as anyone will tell you, but with all of the work we’ve done lately, it would be brilliant to encourage more films to be made here – and it looks as though word is getting round already.”

Just along the estuary, Canvey’s near neighbour Tilbury is also making a a name for itself as a filming backdrop.

The Tilbury docks have been the setting for several Hollywood offerings, including a memorable boat chase from the 1989 film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, which sees the whip-cracking archaeologist in pursuit of the Holy Grail.

The 2005 film, Batman Begins, starring Christian Bale, was also filmed in part at Tilbury Docks and, while theywere in the area, the film crew also shot a scene at Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury.

In the summer, Sacha Baron-Cohen was said to be filming his new comedy, Grimsby, in Tilbury, which saw one street transformed into Grimsby from the Eighties, with shop fascias even being replaced.