LIFE was a beach for EastEnders soap stars yesterday as they filmed episodes in Southend.

The cameras rolled on Marine Parade as actresses Cheryl Fergison, who plays Heather Trott, and Linda Henry, who plays Shirley Carter, worked through their scenes on the sand. Cast and crew from the popular BBC1 soap opera have been filming in the town all week. The latest shots were done outside the Falcon Pub and on the beach for the episodes due to be broadcast in August.

A crowd of onlookers gathered to watch the stars.

Adam Park, 18, of Petworth Gardens, South-church, came down with friends for the day to watch. He said: “I think it is brilliant, because they always talk about Southend on the show and I think it is about time they came and filmed down here.”

Claire Groves, 24, of Cobham Road, Southend, was working at Pebbles Two cafe next door. She said: “Hopefully, it will be good for business. We’ve had crew members coming in to get cups of tea and coffee while the filming is going on, and it is really interesting to have it here.”

It has emerged the scenes will be featured in a prostitution plotline on the show, possibly featuring Whitney Dean.

Shona McGarty, 19, who plays Whitney, was filmed alongside Ricky Norwood, 23, who plays Fat Boy, at Adventure Island earlier in the week. June Brown, 84, who plays Dot Branning, was spotted in Thorpe Bay.