MORE than 1,000 residents have signed a petition calling on film-makers to leave deprived residents in Jaywick alone.

Residents were left angry following the “negative portrayal” of the Brooklands area in programme’s such as Channel 5’s Benefits Britain.

Brooklands is officially listed as the most deprived area in the country and has attracted interest from production companies.

But resident Ian Gunn launched a petition calling on TV companies to leave the area alone.

“We strongly object to any more negative programmes on Jaywick being shown on TV,” he said.

“I know eggs were thrown at Jodie Marsh and her TV crew last month, and I don’t agree with doing that.

“But Jaywick has been let down in the past and misrepresented, so people are angry.

“Anyone who comes down here to make a programme is asking for it. We stick together well down here in Jaywick and we have got a great community spirit.”

The petition has been backed by Clacton MP Douglas Carswell, who will present it to Tendring Council.

Mr Carswell said: “Over the past few months, a ‘mockumentary’ has been made about our area.

“It is designed to sneer and denigrate Jaywick, so I’ll be writing to Ofcom, the TV regulator, about it. Any company with a licence to broadcast has a public interest obligation when broadcasting.

“These programmes simply cannot be viewed as part of that public interest.

“Ofcom should seriously consider whether these programme makers should have their licence.”

A spokesman for Channel 5 previously said Benefits Britain was an “honest and accurate portrayal”.