CLACTON MP Giles Watling has called for more to be done to promote the “positive side” of Jaywick in the face of television producers with preconceived ideas.

Mr Watling raised the issue during a debate about the transparency of the BBC in the House of Commons last week.

DUP MP Gregory Campbell has called for a radical overhaul of how the BBC conducts its business and said producers sometimes come along with a narrative and preconceived ideas.

During the debate, Mr Watling said it was important that the BBC and other television companies maintain their independence – and that the Government’s role must only be related to oversight. He told the Gazette: “We have seen independent TV companies come here with preconceived ideas of what they want to show.

“When they get here, they don’t always show what they find on the ground, just that which fits the narrative.

“What we have to do is promote the positive side of Jaywick.

“It is a vibrant community and people love living here – we have some of the finest beaches in the country and the council is building new homes for local people.

“We must not influence the independence of television companies, but sometimes the line between drama and reality can be blurred.

“It is important that the public, through Parliament have an oversight of the BBC, but the independence of companies is sacrosanct. We also suffered from this with Wonderland: The Curious World of Frinton-on-Sea, which chose not to show young families or our vibrant cafe culture, but instead it focused on the elderly.”

Residents were furious after the Channel 5 programme Benefits Britain compared Jaywick to a “shanty town”, although a spokesman for the show said it was an “honest and accurate portrayal”.

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