22 pictures as filming for ITV Vera in Chester-le-Street wraps up

A COUNTY Durham has been left starstruck after three days of filming for ITV's Vera officially wrapped up.

This week Brenda Blethyn, who plays Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope in the hit-show, has been filming for the next series in Chester-le-Street.

Mainly filming at Citrone's Cafe on the Front Street, crowds were seen gathered every single day as they tried to catch a glimpse of the star.

Beginning on Monday with film crews setting up on location, filming officially took place on Tuesday, coming to an end on Wednesday night.

Speaking to The Northern Echo after the event Francis Citrone, manager of Citrone's Cafe, said the visit had been a "fantastic" experience for the entire town.

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He said: "It's been just fantastic, great for the town, especially in these times when there is nothing to shout about.

“Filming wrapped up last night - it was a great experience to see how they make the programme and Brenda's is a lovely person.

"Unfortunately we didn’t really have any access to her because of Covid."

Mr Citrone, who first agreed to filming in his cafe around five weeks ago, described what filming was like each day.

He said: "Because things were so strict, we had to stand outside for 13 hours a day - the crew would come in at 8am and filming would begin at 11am.

"They'd obviously take all their equipment with them each day and then have to set it all back up again."

Mr Citrone said how Chester-le-Street had been again "put on the map" as crowds from far and wide gathered on each of the three days.

He said: "Living here you normally know all the same faces, but there were so many 'strangers' if you like, it was good.

"You could tell it was popular. There was one girl, she must have been a huge fan, and was here at 7am waiting and waiting outside.

"Everybody was lovely, the whole crowd were really nice."

See our gallery below!

The Northern Echo:

Picture: BEN HOPSON

The Northern Echo:

Picture: BEN HOPSON

The Northern Echo:

Picture: BEN HOPSON

The Northern Echo:

Picture: BEN HOPSON

The Northern Echo:

Picture: BEN HOPSON

The Northern Echo:

Picture: BEN HOPSON

The Northern Echo:

Picture: BEN HOPSON

The Northern Echo:

Picture: BEN HOPSON

The Northern Echo:

Picture: BEN HOPSON

The Northern Echo:

Picture: BEN HOPSON

The Northern Echo:

Picture: BEN HOPSON

The Northern Echo:

Picture: BILLY ATKINSON

The Northern Echo:

Picture: BILLY ATKINSON

The Northern Echo:

Picture: BILLY ATKINSON

The Northern Echo:

Picture: BILLY ATKINSON

The Northern Echo: