A TV production company which filmed a couple's dream wedding on a Weymouth beach has come under fire after a trail of plastic pollution was left at the beauty spot.

A crew used Castle Cove Beach – recently reopened to the public after a campaign – to film an episode of the E4 show Don't Tell The Bride.

But beach campaigners were dismayed to discover that hundreds of pieces of nylon confetti and plastic love hearts were left scattered on the beach – much of it ended up in the sea.

There is also a question over whether the crew had permission to film on the beach.

The production company has now issued an apology for the 'upset caused to the community'.

Don't Tell The Bride is a popular TV show in which a couple is given money to organise their dream wedding with the groom making the decisions.

The Friends of Castle Cove Beach hit out at the rubbish left at the beach following filming at the weekend.

The group said its criticism was not aimed at the local couple featured in the show who the Echo understands went back to the site the next day to clean up the mess, although volunteers had cleaned most of the rubbish themselves the day before.

Full public access was restored to the beach at Easter after steps were constructed.

Steve Elsworth, chairman of the Friends of Castle Cove Beach, slammed the production company's actions.

He said: "They were silly and stupid. You can't go around throwing plastic into the sea in this day and age.

"Castle Cove is the most amazing place. I have swum in it many times. It is the home to mullet and bass, and a large group of wrasse. I have seen lobsters and crabs there, the occasional seal, and even swum with a dolphin in the cove. The pristine nature of the cove is one of the reasons why it is so treasured by our community.

"I don't understand how not a single member of that production crew thought they should make sure nothing ends up in the sea."

Mr Elsworth added: "I hope that something good can come of this. We have talked to (the production company) and they have apologised but we would like some concrete action to ensure this doesn't happen again.

"Our supporters were fantastic. They showed that you don't mess with our beach"

Friends' member Caz Dennett, who helped to clean up, said: "I spoke to one of the crew and asked that they remove all their stuff from the beach when finished, especially confetti and balloons as this easily ends in the sea and will look like food to marine life. He said he had seen the Attenborough programme and they would thoroughly clean up after themselves.

"I think this is very sad and disrespectful, especially given the assurances the crew gave. So sad to sea these symbols of love polluting the water."

Speaking about the newlyweds, Mr Elsworth said: "We wish them the best of luck for the future, and congratulate them on their wedding. It certainly looked like a lot of fun. They looked really happy and I hope this commotion doesn't upset them."

STEVE Elsworth said landowners of Castle Cove Beach had raised concerns that the production company did not have permission to film on the beach.

It is understood Renegade Pictures was granted permission to film at nearby Sandsfoot Cove by the Castle Cove Sailing Club, which owns that stretch of beach.

Instead, the wedding and cameras went to Castle Cove Beach. The beach has a number of signs around it stating that any commercial activities are prohibited and that littering may result in a fine.

The production company said in a statement: “We take complaints very seriously and having looked into this matter it seems clear that in this instance the high levels of production standards that we normally maintain have not been met.

"We apologise unreservedly for the upset we have caused to the local community, who had been so welcoming and helpful during our filming period. We will be speaking directly to the owners of Castle Cove beach to discuss if we can further assist with the clean up and/or contribute to compensate for any damage caused.

"Renegade Pictures are committed to sustainable filming practises including reducing plastics, however we will be thoroughly reviewing our procedures to make sure that in future, we have a clear plan in place to avoid unexpected environmental damage, as that seems to have caught us out this time.”