NEWLYWEDS got more than they bargained for when the Richard Branson monster statue on Bournemouth beach ‘photo-bombed’ their wedding photographs.

Chris and Cheri Johnson, from Poole, posed with the 25ft sea creature on Tuesday, which had been erected as part of a PR stunt by Virgin Media.

Wedding photographer Andrew Ward posted a range of the fun shots from their wedding album on social media, before the happy couple were congratulated on Facebook by the Virgin entrepreneur himself.

Mr Branson said: “Glad we could be part of the big day in some way – congratulations to the both of you!”

The couple’s ceremony was held at The Miramar Hotel, East Overcliff Drive, on June 10, exactly two years since the start of their relationship. Their wedding followed a personalised theme, based around colours of the groom’s favourite football team, West Ham FC.

They were surprised to see the sculpture emerging from the water, after originally seeking pastel coloured beach huts to use as a backdrop for their images.