ASTONISHED onlookers watched as Oscar-winning film-maker Danny Boyle started shooting his new Beatles musical blockbuster on the Sunshine Coast - with a little help from his friends.

Lucky locals got the chance to appear as extras as the Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire director started filming All You Need Is Love in Clacton on Wednesday, before moving up the coast to Frinton.

He has teamed up with rom-com supremo Richard Curtis, who directed Four Weddings and Funeral and Love Actually, to work on the musical.

The crew started shooting outside McDonald’s on Clacton’s Pier Avenue before moving onto the pier itself.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette: Filming by Danny Boyle on Frinton beach, near the golf club entrance..Danny Boyle on set.

Later in the afternoon the crew set up on the beach at Frinton, near the Walings beach huts, where some lucky locals got the chance to appear in the film as extras.

Anne Oxley, who has lived on the Esplanade for 60 years, said crews pitched up from about 10am and had been there all day.

She said: “It’s amazing and it’s very exciting having Frinton being filmed.

“It’s all rather interesting having it here and it makes a great use of our beautiful beaches.”

Clacton and Frinton Gazette: Filming by Danny Boyle on Frinton beach, near the golf club entrance..Filming taking place.

Galway Girl singer Ed Sheeran has also been linked with the new movie, which features music by the Fab Four.

Yesterday the crew were staying tight-lipped about the film.

Spokesman Sasha Gibson said: “I can’t give anything away but we’ve been doing some establishing scenes.

“We are using some really good locations in Suffolk and Norfolk and today we dipped our toe into Essex.

“But we are blessed with this lovely weather.

“It’s great - it just couldn’t be better and we are really happy to be here.

“I wish I could tell you more because it’s going to be great.”