STARS Robert Kazinsky and Rita Simons have joined their EastEnders colleagues for filming in Weymouth.

The duo, who play Sean Slater and Roxy Mitchell, link up with Barbara Windsor and Samantha Janus for the five-day shoot.

Val Reynolds, 64, from Granville Road, Weymouth, brought her three visiting granddaughters to the seafront as they all wanted to see the actor Robert Kazinsky.

She said: "They are visiting from London and Bristol and they all wanted to come and see him.

"It's absolutely great for my grandchildren to be able to come to the beach with me and see this going on."

Weymouth's seafront businesses were hoping to cash in on the crowds and one lucky café owner enjoyed a visit from an EastEnder.

Owner of the Harlequin café, Dave Moore, welcomed Samantha Janus and her family as they stopped by for a fish lunch by the sea.

He said: "It was very exciting because while she was here we were a little bit busier as everyone was coming over to have a look.

"She was very accommodating and friendly and told us she though it was really lovely down here and that she was having a very nice time."

"I think she seems to be enjoying it and not getting too much hassle."

So far filming has taken place at Weymouth Harbour and on the beach, where a carousel and rifle range have been erected by Five Star Beach Rides owner Steve Stokes at the request of the BBC.

He has been kept busy by the crew as filming continued until 2am on the first day with his rides closed to the public during filming.

Mr Stokes said: "They have brought about 60 to 70 extras here with them and the beach is packed with people watching.

"The filming has brought plenty of interest and the locals are out in force."

Some of the crowds spoke to the film crews in the hope of becoming extras on the programme but were informed that they were already prepared with their own.

  • Do you have pictures of EastEnders stars in Weymouth? Send them to newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk
  • ROBERT Kazinsky stepped in to tackle a homeless man who smashed a window in Dorchester, according to reports.

The actor was said to have taken on the man after he broke the window of a building with a bin.

It was reported that the police were called to a pub where the actor and co-star Rita Simons, 31, who plays Roxy Mitchell, were taking a break from filming.

Mr Kazinsky was said to have yelled at the man to stop vandalising the building.

A spokesman for West Dorset District Council confirmed that the window of the housing advice centre in High East Street was recently broken but could add no further information.