WEST Dorset is once again the star as the cameras returned for filming of the second series of Broadchurch.

The star-studded cast and crew set up their production base in the car park next to the West Bay Hotel yesterday morning to start filming.

Filming began shortly after 10.30am as Andrew Buchan, Jodie Whittaker and Charlotte Beaumont, who play Mark, Beth and Chloe Latimer in the show, were filmed driving around West Bay and Bridport.

David Tennant and Olivia Colman arrived at the base shortly after, greeting the other members of the cast with a warm embrace.

There was a lot of waiting for the cast as the weather took a turn for the worse, but filming restarted just after noon when it brightened up, with Tennant, Colman and Hollywood legend Charlotte Rampling filming in a house in West Cliff.

Tennant, who plays DI Alec Hardy, and Colman, who plays DS Ellie Miller, were filmed walking up the coast path to the west of West Bay, before being led into a house by Rampling.

Show bosses are remaining tight-lipped about the plot for the show, but have confirmed that Rampling will play a ‘pivotal’ role.

The first series of the BAFTA award-winning show was a massive hit, averaging more than nine million viewers per episode and it led to a tourism boom in Bridport and West Bay.

Local business owners spoke of their excitement ahead of the second series and of the show returning.

Steve Tucker, who runs Cafe Ellipse, said: “I am very pleased they are back filming in West Bay.

“We have had quite a few people come in already asking about the filming, and in turn asking lots of questions about the area and where they will be filming.

“It is going to be great for Bridport and West Bay and hopefully all along the Dorset coast.

“It’s been a bit quiet round here over the past few weeks so hopefully this will give it a boost.”

Julian and Sue Smith run Helmet City bike shop next to the location of the police station in the first series.

Mrs Smith said: “We are all really pleased to see them back.

“Broadchurch really took off, probably more than we thought it would, so it’s great for us that it is coming back.”

Tim Attrill helps run the Harbour News with dad Richard, which was used as a location in the first series.

Ahead of filming, they put a spoof script in the window which sees Jack Marshall, who was a murder suspect in the first series, wake up and declare that the first series had been a dream.

Tim said: “Last year we put up a lot of posters and thought we’d carry it on this year.

“We have had people coming in asking us if it actually is the real script but it’s just a bit of fun and is not the actual script.

“It’s really good though, it keeps people talking about the show and we have had so many people taking photos of it, it’s a great bit of fun.”