The Inspector Morse ITV series - and Lewis and Endeavour episodes - are thought to have raised millions of pounds for Oxford's tourism trade over more than three decades.

Colin Dexter's Morse novels started being adapted for TV in 1987 and the series starring John Thaw ran until 2000.

Lewis starring Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox followed in 2006 and Morse prequel Endeavour starring Shaun Evans and Roger Allam began in 2012.

READ AGAIN: Morse documentary will be shown after last Endeavour

It is now the end of an era as the last episode ever of Endeavour is being shown tomorrow after ITV declared series nine would be the last.

As the detective drama finishes, civic leaders praised city author Colin Dexter for giving the city a huge financial boost.

Hayley Beer-Gamage, CEO of tourism organisation Experience Oxfordshire, said: "Film and TV offer a multi-million pound opportunity for destinations and Oxford has certainly benefited from the Endeavour, Lewis and Morse legacy and will continue to do so long after the shows cease to be filmed.

Oxford Mail:

"These shows are iconic and loved by both domestic and international visitors so the opportunity to attract these audiences to the city and county as part of a longer stay is really important to our destination ambitions.

"Award-winning Oxford Official Walking Tours offer a Morse, Lewis and Endeavour tour and we continue to increase the number of tours delivered as demand increases.”

Last weekend Jericho resident John Mair organised a Morse festival and Endeavour actors Abigail Thaw and Anton Lesser came to speak to fans at St Barnabas Church.

Mr Mair said the Inspector Morse franchise must have been worth 'tens of millions of pounds' in tourists' cash over the years.

Oxford Mail:

And he urge the city council to put up some plaques marking out key Morse locations.

Mr Mair said: "Morse is Oxford and Oxford is Morse - the two are twinned for eternity.

"Oxford provided the backdrop for the 102 films but it was also central to the stories.

"It's time for the city to build on that huge international legacy.

READ AGAIN: Morse author Colin Dexter 'killed off' TV series 

"Thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of tourists come to the city because of the TV series.

"It's time for the city and the county to develop that rich legacy and build the Morse tourism product.

"Ten simple Morse plaques on parking bays would be a start."

Oxford Mail:

Mr Dexter was often given cameo roles in the TV dramas, and liked to drink at the Randolph Hotel where a bar has been named in his honour.

He died in 2017 and said in his will he wanted Endeavour to be the final TV series.

Pubs across the city, where Morse visited in the TV series, continue to benefit from tourists calling in.

Dave Richardson, a spokesman for Oxford CAMRA, said: "Many thousands of tourists over the years have come in search of pubs they have seen on the TV series, includin the Victoria Arms, the White Horse and the Old Bookbinders Ale House.

"The Angel and Greyhound once had a sign up outside saying 'we are the only pub Inspector Morse never visited."

READ AGAIN: Roger Allam on the final series of Endeavour

Oxford City Council leader Susan Brown paid tribute to Colin Dexter's contribution to the city.

She said: "Colin Dexter’s Inspector Morse and the subsequent TV shows mean that around the world, Oxford is recognised as the home of the much-loved Morse.

Oxford Mail:

"The city council recognised Colin Dexter’s huge contribution to our city by giving him the Freedom of the City that was his home.

“Over several decades we have welcomed the film crews and actors to our city.

"The filming of the last episodes of Endeavour are truly the end of an era but we look forward to continuing to welcome the visitors who come to see our beautiful city for themselves – although I can assure them that the murder rate is thankfully a great deal lower than they might anticipate.”

County councillor Duncan Enright, in charge of tourism the county council, said he hoped one day a Morse movie would be made.

He added: "Oxfordshire is proud to host media crews from across the globe, and Morse's investigations show just what a great backdrop our city and county provide. We also have skilled people and great access to the country and the world. We look forward to seeing you, film and TV producers."

Endeavour - the last episode is being shown at 8pm on ITV1 tomorrow.

A special documentary about Inspector Morse and Endeavour follows on ITV1 at 10.20pm.

Read more from this author

This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF