IT was lights, camera, action as a North East church was transformed into a film set almost overnight for the filming of the hit-series, Vera.

Towering above Newcastle, St Michael's Roman Catholic Church became the latest filming location as cast and crew of the ITV show were spotted filming on Wednesday (May 11).

Huge lights shone onto the stained glass windows as TV & Film trucks, catering vehicles  - and even a large crane - were dotted around the church on Westmorland Road.

Read more: Vera superfans were queuing in Darlington for hours before filming

At around midday, dozens of extras, including a handful of characters dressed in military uniform, were seen leaving the church after shooting scenes inside.

The Northern Echo: Picture: JIM SCOTTPicture: JIM SCOTT

The Northern Echo: Picture: JIM SCOTTPicture: JIM SCOTT

The Northern Echo: Picture: JIM SCOTTPicture: JIM SCOTT

That was moments before leading lady Brenda Blethyn, who plays DCI Vera Stanhope, was spotted as she appeared on set in her famous green mac and bucket hat.

Watching on, passers-by tried to catch a glimpse at the going's on, while the occasional driver could be heard shouting "Vera."

Among those watching, friends Sarah Georgeson and Kyle McQue, who had only discovered ITV Vera was filming after being told so by a nearby shop worker.

Ms Georgeson, from Gateshead, told The Northern Echo: "We were hoping to see the legend herself and were not planning to come down.

The Northern Echo: Picture: JIM SCOTTPicture: JIM SCOTT

"I've watched Vera, she's good, I think she gives a good representation and impression of the North East."

According to those close to filming, the team first arrived at the church on Tuesday to begin setting up the scene ahead of shoots on Wednesday.

The exact nature of the episode has not been revealed, but those in the area suggested they were filming scenes involving a military funeral.

The Northern Echo: Picture: JIM SCOTTPicture: JIM SCOTT

The Northern Echo: Picture: JIM SCOTTPicture: JIM SCOTT

The Northern Echo: Picture: JIM SCOTTPicture: JIM SCOTT

Filming at the church comes as Brenda Blethyn, cast and crew have been spotted on various shoots in the past few weeks.

Last week, Blethyn's iconic Land Rover Defender could be seen as the Newcastle Quayside was shut down for filming by the Hard Rock Cafe and Newcastle Guildhall.

Meanwhile, cast and crew including Kenny Doughty, who plays DS Aiden Healy, were in Darlington for filming of exterior and interior shots at the Town Hall on Feethams in April.

Although no details of the upcoming series have been released, it is good news for fans as there are still two more episodes from series 11, which was filmed in 2020 and 2021.

The new episodes will be broadcast on ITV and on the ITV Hub 

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