THE North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team has made a cameo appearance on a hit TV series.

The volunteer-led organisation, which covers the Northumbria Police area, was featured on ITV's Vera during the episode aired on January 9.

The popular crime drama is based on books by Ann Cleeves, who was recently made an OBE for services to reading and libraries in the Queen's New Year's Honours List, and is filmed in locations across the North-East.

Filmed in Matfen at the beginning of May 2021, the mountain rescue team was involved in the fictional search for a missing child.

The team, who receive no funding other than donations and grant applications, is now appealing to the public for funds to help them to continue working across the area.

Brenda Blethyn, who plays DCI Vera Stanhope, and other cast members are always given a warm welcome in Tynedale from communities in Hexham, Corbridge, Stamfordham and Allendale.

A North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team spokesperson explained: "A team member is friends with a member of the Vera crew, so they reached out to our team to see if we’d like to feature.

"The production company paid a donation to our team and the feature can also help boost awareness about what we do."