Broomfield cockle film criticised

Ai Qin Lin plays a woman smuggled into the UK

A film about the death of 21 Chinese cockle pickers has been criticised by people in Morecambe.

The TV drama was written and directed by acclaimed documentary maker Nick Broomfield for Channel 4.

The film claims the cocklers were working at night because they were frightened of being beaten up by British cocklers during the day.

Fisherwoman Margaret Owen called the film "fiction not fact", adding that it was "stirring up bad memories".

Mrs Owen, who helped in the recovery operation after the tragedy, is angry at scenes depicting British cocklers bullying their Chinese counterparts.

My worry is that in 10 years time, people will look back on it as a fact Margaret Owen

"I think in a way it is good because it will stop people going on the beach," she said.

"But it should be truthful because my worry is that in 10 years time, this will be history and people will look back on it as a fact and this is not fact, it is all fiction.

The cocklers died in rising tides at Hest Bank in Morecambe Bay in February 2005.

Chinese-born Lin Liang Ren, 29, from Liverpool, was convicted at Preston Crown Court in March 2006 of their manslaughter.

At least 21 cockle pickers drowned in Morecambe Bay

The gangmaster, girlfriend Zhao Xiao Qing and cousin Lin Mu Yong were also convicted of facilitation - helping cocklers to break immigration laws.

Lin Mu Yong, 31, was sentenced to four years and nine months. Zhao Xiao Qing, 21, got two years and nine months.

When they have served their sentences the Home Office will have to decide whether or not to deport the trio.

Nick Broomfield has previously made documentaries about executed serial killer Aileen Wuornos, rap artists Biggie and Tupac and Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love.

Ghosts is his second feature film, after 1989's Diamond Skulls.

The film, which uses non-professional actors and hand-held cameras, features actress Ai Qin Lin as a young Chinese woman who pays gangmasters to smuggle her into the UK.