A SCHOOLGIRL from a village near Caernarfon received an unexpected ninth birthday present when she had a chance meeting with The Crown star Olivia Colman.

Sera Taylor was on the way home to Groeslon from her ninth birthday party yesterday afternoon when she and mum Mari Hughes came across the TV star out walking.

Colman has this week been in the region filming for the hit Netflix series, with scenes being shot in Caernarfon.

Mari said as they were driving along rural lanes in Felinwnda they spotted a small group of people walking along.

"I slowed down and asked them in Welsh if everything was alright," said Mari.

"A woman smiled back at me and then I realised I recognised her.

"It was such an unlikely place to see her.

"I stopped the car and asked Olivia Colman if we could take a photo."

Mari and Sera found the TV star to be very approachable, as she happily agreed to pose for a picture with the delighted birthday girl.

"Olivia was really lovely and absolutely charming," said Mari.

"She was happy to have her picture taken and it was very nice to meet her.

"Sera really enjoyed meeting her. It made her day."

Colman, 44, has become a familiar face on our TV screens after being a regular in such shows as Broadchurch, Peep Show and Rev.

In The Crown she has the honour of playing The Queen.

Filming for The Crown has included the recreation of the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales in 1969.