A NORTH-west Labour MP today criticised a planned Steven Spielberg film which he says will "ignorantly" portray the wartime liberation of a Greek island by United States forces rather than the British troops who actually freed it.

Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle has tabled a Commons motion pointing out that the film will tell the story of US commandos, aided by local monks, battling with Nazi troops on the island of Symi.

The motion adds: "In reality, US troops arrived on the island in 1946, after the war was over, with the real liberation forces consisting of members from the SAS and Special Boat Section."

Mr Hoyle said: "We are sick and tired of seeing US films portraying events from the war where US troops replace British forces.

"In some cases it is insulting to the veterans who actually took part in these historic events.

"Hollywood should have greater regard for the truth and less emphasis on pandering to US audiences which involves re-writing history.

"The ignorance of the facts to suit US audiences should not be allowed to take place.

"While America played a crucial role in the war, it is necessary to recognise that many successes and many examples of heroism took place by many troops from all the allied forces, and films which are closer to the truth are most often the better films," he added.