Eastenders stars are in Southend recording shots for a summer edition of the top soap.

The summer special will feature Ricky and Bianca Butcher and Bianca's family including Robbie, Sonia and Carol Jackson. New heart throb Dan Sullivan will also be involved in the filming which will be screened in around six weeks.

The characters will be filming at a number of locations around the town including the end of the pier, the seafront, the town centre and Leigh Old Town.

Sharon Hanley, a spokesman for EastEnders, said: "The Jackson family decided to go away for the weekend to Southend and they thought they would actually come and film here.

"It is just a family get-away because Carol Jackson has been away and Bianca has also been out of it for a while.

Dan is a friend of the Jackson family and is in his mid 30s. He is a bit of a hunk and will be introduced into the programme next month.

"They spend most of their time on the seafront, but Bianca and Sonia also go shopping in the town.

"Robbie is mainly in the arcades, for a very special reason which will soon become apparent to viewers."

Borough council tourism chief Mike Pressling said the EastEnders filming was another feather in the council's hat in its bid to increase leisure and tourism.

It follows the recent filming of Sean Bean's feature film Essex Boys and a Lilt ladies advertisement in the town.

Mr Pressling added: "This is the largest concentration of cameras we have had in the town for a long time."

Camera crews are expected to finish filming the tightly-guarded scenes on Friday.

Sid Owen and Patsy Palmer, better known as Ricky and Bianca Butcher

Right - recording begins on Southend Pier

Picture: ANDY PALMER

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