As ITV prepares to show the last ever episodes of Endeavour from next month, we look back at some archive photos of the Inspector Morse series, which ran from 1987 to 2000.

The TV dramas Inspector Morse, Lewis and Endeavour were inspired by the novels of Oxford author Colin Dexter.

The final series of Inspector Morse spin-off drama Endeavour is expected to start on ITV next month.

READ AGAIN: Filming for Endeavour in Christ Church Meadow

It was the end of an era in August when Shaun Evans, who plays a young Inspector Morse, and Roger Allam, who plays DI Fred Thursday, filmed their last ever scenes in Oxford.

Film crews were at Parson's Pleasure, St John's Street and Turl Street, where Shaun Evans was seen near a joke shop.

Oxford Mail: Kevin Whately and John Thaw wait to go on set in 2000Kevin Whately and John Thaw wait to go on set in 2000

ITV has confirmed that Endeavour series 9 will be the last series but it has not yet revealed the precise dates for the new episodes.

The first of three final episodes is expected at the end of February, with the other two to be shown in March.

According to the website britishperioddramas.com the final season’s opening episode is set in the spring of 1972, and directed by Shaun Evans.

Oxford Mail: John Thaw at Oxford Train Station in 1987John Thaw at Oxford Train Station in 1987

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The synopsis for the story reads: "Two unexplained deaths turn up ties to the Oxford Concert Orchestra, while a body discovered in a derelict warehouse stokes fears that ‘London business’ has yet again found its way to Oxford.

Oxford Mail: The Remorse Day - the last episode in 2000The Remorse Day - the last episode in 2000

“Thursday and Endeavour’s investigation unearths some unsettling connections to cases the duo believed were well and truly behind them.”

The Inspector Morse spin-off starring Shaun Evans and Roger Allam launched in 2012 and scenes have been shot on location in the city ever since.

The long-running Morse franchise is based on the novels of Colin Dexter, and the Endeavour series follows the Inspector Morse series and the Lewis series.

Oxford Mail: John Thaw and Kevin Whately filming in 1997John Thaw and Kevin Whately filming in 1997

Oxford Mail: Roger Allam and Shaun Evans Roger Allam and Shaun Evans

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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