A FILM capturing the life of a Barrow folk hero has received positive reviews.

The Phantom Of The Open features former shipyard crane operator and 'world's worst golfer' Maurice Flitcroft, who entered himself into The Open in the mid-1970s despite never having played golf properly in his life.

Premiering at the BFI London Film Festival, the film was praised by reviewers.

In a four-star review, the Telegraph described it as 'an uproarious, Ealing-esque tale of a real-life golfing imposter'.

And the Evening Standard said star Sir Mark Rylance 'makes the world’s worst golfer into a loveable legend all over again'.

Arriving at the movie's premiere, Sir Mark said he found much to admire in the sportsman.

He said: "(I admired) his generosity to other people and to his family and just his defiance.

"I do like defiant characters, but he was very quietly defiant. And he's very wonderful.

"I wish I could be as good as he is about criticism. It just goes off like water off a duck's back, but I'm terribly sensitive and always have been about criticism.

"I just admire Maurice, he never gives up and doesn't accept other people's opinion of himself, he has his own view of himself. So that's lucky."

The actor said the story resonates because it taps into the audience's desire to root for an underdog, adding: "We really love people who have their back against the wall, and don't give up and come back. It's a strong thing here, I think."

The film's director Craig Roberts said: "I love an underdog story but more so I love anybody that is going to go against their birth lottery, what you're born with, essentially the circumstances that you're in or the cards that you're dealt."

Maurice Flitcroft lived in Barrow with his wife Jean and died in 2007.

The Phantom Of The Open is released in UK cinemas on November 5.