FAMILIAR faces from TV and the movies could be seen on the beach or in a supermarket as an award-winning short film was created in Furness almost 20 years ago.

Eric Sykes and Sylvia Syms were among the cast for the drama Mavis and the Mermaid, which saw filming as Barrow Askam and Walney.

The Mail, on Wednesday, September 29 in 1999 caught up with Mr Sykes, then 77, wearing an Arran jumper for his role as a fisherman – during a filming session at Barrow’s Lidl supermarket.

He said: “I never watch the films I have made because I hope that the next one will always be the best.

“But I do hope that Mavis and the Mermaid does well.

“When the scripts were read out to me the girl reading started crying and I nearly broke down as well. It’s such a beautiful story.”

Mr Sykes stayed at the Fisherman’s Arms, Baycliff, for three nights and joked: “The beach at Askam was like St Tropez, but with our clothes on.”

The film’s eight-year-old star was Alyx Petre, from Maryport, who faced competition from 92 other hopefuls to get the role.

Mavis and the Mermaid was officially released on April 13 in 2000.

The 14-minute drama was directed by Juliet McKoen - who was also the writer with Jayne Steel - and produced by Julie Hammerton for Shoreline Films.

It won the Kodak/Bafta Short Film Showcase and Worldfest Gold Special Jury Award.

The story of love, loss and grief is about a small girl who doesn't believe in fairytales who meets an old woman who claims she is a mermaid princess.

It featured Alyx Petre as Mavis; David MacCreedy, as Kevin; Sylvia Syms, as Gioga; Eric Sykes, as Skip and Jean Marie Coffey, as Sandra.

Sylvia Syms OBE, born in January 1934, is known for movies such as Ice Cold in Alex from 1958 and The Tamarind Seed in 1974.

Eric Sykes, who lived from May 1923 to July 2003, worked as a writer and performer with all the great names of British comedy.

His movie credits include Frank Bryce in the 2005 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

David MacCreedy played Cpl Peter Polson in the series All Quiet on the Preston Front.