Real life met fantasy when an officer thought an old police station was being burgled – only to find himself bumping into one of the most famous North East detectives.

PC Steve West, was out on patrol when he noticed people in the old police station in Blyth.

Thinking he might have a break-in on his hands he jumped into action and burst through the door.

Fair to say, he was more than surprised to find the one and only Vera and a production crew on the other side.

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Brenda Blethyn, the actress who plays the famous detective in the hit ITV show Vera, was even kind enough to take a photo with PC West before he headed back out on patrol.

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Brenda was seen earlier this month, along with her iconic Land Rover Defender, in Hartlepool.  

Shots had been filmed outside Hartlepool Railway Station as the area surrounding the site was turned into a set, buzzing with activity and cameras.

It is not clear what scenes were being filmed but Blethyn could be seen driving in and out of the station concourse.

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