The Hobbit has begun shooting again in New Zealand, Digital Spy said.

Peter Jackson announced on his Facebook page that pick-ups had commenced earlier this week, on what are thought to be scenes for the final film, There and Back Again.

"Back on set for our last Hobbit pick ups," Jackson wrote. "Our last ever Tolkien pick ups, in fact. It's going to be an intense few weeks, but we're looking forward to shooting some powerful scenes with our great cast."

Martin Freeman, who stars as Bilbo Baggins, was still in London filming the third series of Sherlock as of yesterday (May 21).

Once the second episode of the BBC drama has wrapped, its production will take a hiatus in order to allow Freeman to finish shooting The Hobbit.

Digital Spy recently spoke to several cast members about The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, who teased the second film's "darker" tone.

The final two Hobbit films will be released in the UK on December 13, 2013 and December 19, 2014 respectively.