A COUNTY Durham café has been left "chock-a-block" after featuring in the first episode of a brand new series of ITVs Vera.

Citrone's Café in Chester-le-Street has been left inundated with customers and visitors after it was shown in front of millions of viewers on Sunday night.

The family-run café, which had been transformed into a set for the hit-show for three days last year, made an appearance within the first few minutes of the episode.

Read more: 17 pictures of Brenda Blethyn filming - as series of ITV Vera airs 

It comes as the 11th series of the show has had a huge response with fans flocking to filming locations including Collingwood Monument in Tynemouth to re-enact scenes.

Darlington and Stockton Times: The cafe features in the first few minutes of the episode Picture: ITVThe cafe features in the first few minutes of the episode Picture: ITV

Darlington and Stockton Times: The cafe features in the first few minutes of the episode Picture: ITVThe cafe features in the first few minutes of the episode Picture: ITV

Francis Citrone, manager of Citrone's Café explained how the first 24 hours of trade had been extremely busy since the new series aired.

Read more: People re-enact scene at Collingwood Monument after ITV Vera makes return

He said: "There has been loads of interest, everybody has been talking about it all day – it's been good.

"We had been closed for the Bank Holiday Monday, so today (Tuesday) was our first day open and everybody was telling us they'd watched it and saying that they'd seen the café.

"We have just been absolutely chock-a-block."

Darlington and Stockton Times: Francis Citrone, right, with sister Andrea and mother Madelene Picture: ITVFrancis Citrone, right, with sister Andrea and mother Madelene Picture: ITV

The café, which is located on Front Street in the town centre, saw huge interest from far and wide as film crews descended on the town for three days.

Read more: County Durham café will appear in ITV's Vera as filming continues next week

The café had been transformed into a set and renamed 'Café Royal' for the shoot as Brenda Blethyn and cast shot a number of scenes.

Since then, Mr Citrone said he had been continuously quizzed on whether he knew when the next series was due to broadcast.

He said: "Customers have been waiting and waiting for the episode – they kept asking me when we were going to be on and we couldn't tell them as we did not know.

"But everyone has been excited – all I've got today is 'eee we've seen the café' and 'do you really have an upstairs apartment' as in the episode they go into an apartment, which they must have built a set for that as we don't have one."

Darlington and Stockton Times: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPicture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The series is predominantly set in the Newcastle and North Tyneside area, with many of the locations featured in the first episode in Tynemouth.

But to the surprise of Mr Citrone, ITV bosses chose to omit the cafe's real location during the episode as the cast mention they are in a café in Tynemouth.

Admitting he felt slightly disappointed, Mr Citrone said the show still puts Chester-le-Street and County Durham on the map.

He said: "They say the café is in Tynemouth, but it is still good for the town, people know that we are here and we're pleased we were picked, and we very much appreciate it."

Darlington and Stockton Times: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPicture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Mr Citrone, who lost his father and former owner of Citrone's, Nicol Citrone, last year said the filming had been a great tribute to him.

He said: "My father passed away just before this happened so he didn't know about any of this, so we were a bit disappointed that he missed it – but it's great for the shop and it's a tribute to my dad."

ITV previously confirmed the first two episodes of the new series will be broadcast in 2021, with the remaining four episodes filmed from Spring 2021 for broadcast next year in 2022.

The next episode is set to air on ITV and the ITV Hub at 8pm next Sunday.

To catch up on old Vera episodes on the ITV Hub - click here