OSCAR-NOMINEE and Hollywood celebrity Minnie Driver visited the region yesterday (Thursday February 21).

The star of Good Will Hunting and GoldenEye was in Stockton filming an episode of the BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are series.

The 43-year-old actress was there to visit the family history department of a local library, where she looked up details about her ancestors.

Speaking about her trip to the North East, she said: “I’m having a lovely time, it’s just gorgeous here. I’m staying at the lovely Crathorne Hall.

“We drove through Yarm and it was so beautiful, I just wanted to get out and walk around, but I couldn’t because I had to go to work.”

She added: “I have lots of family up North, I love being here, it’s freezing but it’s a beautiful, beautiful part of the world.”

As news spread, crowds of fans gathered at the library hoping to catch a glimpse of the world-famous actress.

Carole Wood, the library’s reference and information services officer, said: “We were so excited when we found out she was coming. It is exciting for us and exciting for Stockton. She is a big star but she was so friendly and ordinary.”

As her search for her family’s past continues, Ms Driver is rumoured to have scheduled an upcoming trip to Darlington.