POLICE have been praised for their help in making a popular period detective series.

The Durham force’s Chester-;e-Street and Stanley police stations have been filmed For the next series of George Gently, starring Martin Shaw and Lee Ingleby.

Several exterior shots were taken at Chester-le-Street and the custody block in Stanley was used for scenes featuring suspects being held and interviewed in the cells. .

The area was re-dressed to fit in the 1960's setting of the show.

The producers, Company Pictures North have written to the force expressing their thanks for the help given to them.

"On behalf of myself and all the crew, over the past few months you have been a great help in the making of episode one and we couldn't have made it without you," said Kayleigh Cruickshank, location manager for Company Pictures.

"All the staff in estates, Chester-le-Street and Stanley, have been continuously helpful in organising our film shoot.

“I work nationwide and have filmed in different police stations across the country and Durham, in my opinion , is home to the most film-friendly police force in the UK.

"You should all be happy in the knowledge that you have aided the promotion of the North- East for future filming and when episode one is aired in autumn please remember you played a massive part in making it happen."

The filming is done away from operational areas and does not affect day-to-day policing. The force gets a fee for the use of its facilities. principally to cover essential staff costs.