A SCHOOLGIRL got more than she bargained for after dressing up as her favourite television detective, DCI Vera Stanhope.

Eden Pickerin received a huge response on social media after sharing her impressive efforts to dress as the ITV Vera star, played by Brenda Blethyn.

With the iconic bucket hat, scarf and even a replica warrant, the eight-year-old donned her homemade outfit for this year's World Book Day.

Read more: Why Brenda Blethyn wears a hat in every episode of ITV Vera

And not only did she impress thousands on Twitter, she managed to catch the attention of Brenda Blethyn herself, and Vera creator Ann Cleeves.

The image proved a hit with Blethyn and Cleeves liking the picture, while Blethyn later tweeting: "Love this. Vera doppelgänger."

Speaking to The Northern Echo, her father Stephen Pickering, described how his daughter had been left ecstatic after her picture went viral.

He said: "I decided to post the photo on Twitter and send it to both Brenda Blethyn and Ann Cleeves.

Read more: Brenda Blethyn pictured filming for 11th series of ITV Vera in Blyth

"We were amazed when both retweeted it and Ann commented that she loved it.

"We've received loads of positive comments with people loving the blue shoe covers, and over 900 likes on the photo."

The Northern Echo: Picture: NORTHERN ECHOPicture: NORTHERN ECHO (Image: Vera stars shooting on the streets of Newcastle Picture: NORTH NEWS)

"When it came to world book day there was only ever one character Eden wanted to dress up as, and knowing that Vera was also a book as well as a TV character, off to school as Vera she went."

Eden, who is actually from Stoke-on-Trent and sister to Blake, 16, Corey, 23, and daughter to Stephen and Lisa, had become "hooked" on the show during lockdown.

Mr Pickerin said: "We got into watching Vera quite late but during lockdown it became regular viewing, so much so that Friday nights became 'Vera Night.'

"We weren't sure whether she would remain interested for the two hour duration. How wrong we were, she was hooked."

As a result of Eden's new found interest, the family are due to visit Northumberland for the first time and have even booked themselves onto a half-day Vera tour.

Mr Pickerin added: "We can't wait to visit some of the locations from the show. How amazing would it be if filming was taking place at the time, then maybe our 'little Vera' could meet the real Vera."

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