WATCH: Stars of ITV's Vera film scenes in Whitley Bay

Cast and crew spent Tuesday morning filming at Turknaz restaurant on Whitley Bay's seafront for the new series of the hit show on ITV.

Famous TV detective Vera Stanhope has been spotted recently in Jesmond, Amble, and Alnmouth, now making her way to North Tyneside.

Hundreds of people watched outside the restaurant as leading lady Brenda Blethyn filming the scenes.

Anthony Yilmaz, owner of the award-winning restaurant, said: "The producers approached me about a month ago and asked if they could film Vera here. I have to be honest, I'd never seen the show before but knew it was popular.

"As soon as they had been in Turknaz they fell in love with it, the director came down the next day and said they wanted to film Vera here.

"They booked the place for the whole morning, extending it until 3pm.

"It's been huge for Whitley Bay, half of the town seems to have turned up to watch.

"The cast and crew have been fantastic. They can't get over the beautiful location in Whitley Bay and said they wished they had seen it earlier because they would have done more with it.

"Everyone has been great, very friendly to all the people coming up asking for photos and autographs."

He added: "Yesterday some of the crew came down to put up some props and had food here and said it was one of the best meals they've had and were hoping to bring all the crew back for a big meal once filming was finished."