Pretty Little Liars cast bid tearful farewells to series after wrapping finale

Ashley Benson, Lucy Hale, Troian Bellisario and Shay Mitchell struggled to control their tears as they wrapped filming the final episode of Pretty Little Liars.

The quartet play the main characters in the hit TV show, which is coming to an end next year (17) after seven seasons. After shooting the finale on Wednesday (26Oct16), the actresses took to their social media pages to express their love for their co-stars and the program that made them famous.

Sharing a snap with her head in her hands, Ashley wrote: "Reflecting on these last seven years in my empty room I called home. I will never forget this experience. I was so lucky to work with such amazing people who have affected my life greatly. I am so happy to know they will be my family from here on out.

She also thanked fans for supporting her and added, "I'm sad to say bye to (my character) Hanna..... but I'm excited to see what the future holds and I'm so happy to know that all of you will be by my side."

Lucy posted a picture of her with her castmates, writing, "The day has come to say goodbye to my second home, a character that helped shaped me and so many people who mean the world to me. Bittersweet feelings today, but so proud of what we've done," while Shay tweeted, "Can't... stop... crying. I know I need to celebrate this amazing show and not mourn it- but that just seems too hard right now..."

Troian posted a snap of her room with posters of Patti Smith and Lolita on the wall and added that packing it up was tough, writing, "Goodbye room (and my home for 7 years). Be good to the next girl. Whoever she is."

Sasha Pieterse, who played vital cast member Alison DiLaurentis in the show, wrote on her Instagram ahead of the shoot: "I can't believe that the day has come. In a couple of hours I'll be going to work for the last time at my second home. Although this day will be filled with happy and sad tears, I'll be forever grateful to share them with the ones I've come to call family. #pllfamily."

Keegan Allen, who starred as love interest Toby in the show, had wrapped his scenes the day before, but posted a sweet picture of the cast on his Facebook and wrote that he will miss his co-stars and he enjoyed every moment of the "7 years, 220752000 seconds" he spent with his TV "family".