Fisherman's Friends story set for big screen

The Fisherman's Friends new album One And All will be released on 19 August.

Calendar Girls director Nigel Cole has signed up to bring the story of Cornish band The Fisherman's Friends to the big screen.

The 10-piece sea shanty band from Port Isaac went from singing in their local pub to playing the main stage at Glastonbury.

Earlier this year band member Trevor Grills and their tour manager were killed after being hit by a stage door.

Ealing Studios said filming will start in spring 2014.

Cole, who also directed Saving Grace and Made In Dagenham, said he was "very much looking forward" to making "a truly British movie".

The Fisherman's Friends have been performing together since 1995 in their local pub, but only got signed by Universal in 2010.

The band were given a £1m recording contract after being discovered by music industry bosses during a gig.

DJ Johnny Walker said he first heard the group when one of them handed him a CD while he was on holiday in Port Issac.

He said after hearing their music he sought out a manager and within several days a record contract had been signed.

Their debut album reached the UK's top 10 and turned gold.

Tribute single

The group were on tour in February when Grills was killed, along with their tour manager Paul McMullen, after becoming trapped under a metal door at a concert venue.

Their current single Mary Anne was released as a tribute.

The screenplay for the film has been written by Nick Moorcroft and Piers Ashworth who also wrote the recent St Trinian's films.

The film's producers said the band would not be given a Hollywood style make-over for the big screen.

Casting of the key roles of the 10 singers - ranging in age from 45-80 years old - will happen later this year.