The star of a feature film shot on-location in Fleetwood has apologised after causing a stink by branding the town as fishy.

Shirley Henderson, 41, who won a BAFTA for her role in the thriller Frozen claims her comments, published in a national newspaper this week, were "not intended as an insult to the town".

The actress who has starred in Transpotting and played Moaning Myrtle in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is reported to have described how she was left "reeking" and "stinking" of fish and fish and chip shops after a day's shooting in the port.

She is quoted as saying: "The whole town smelled, the whole of Fleetwood would stink of fish. Every night after filming my clothes would stink of it, but I eventually got used to it".

The actress spent the majority of her time on location at the town's biggest fish processing factory, C&G Neve, learning how to fillet for her character's job as a dockside fish filleter.

Her comments have provoked a strong reaction from Wyre Borough Council.

A spokesman said: "Perhaps Shirley spent so much time around the docks and industrial parts of the town that she failed to realise there is a lot more to Fleetwood including a superb seafront, fantastic beaches and interesting shopping.

"The whole town does not smell of fish or of fish and chips."

Apologising for the comments, a spokesman for the actress said Ms Henderson enjoyed her stay in the town.

He said: "The fact that she was working in fish filleting learned in a fishing town made her aware of the smell which she did not find at all objectionable.

"Shirley is upset if any offence was taken and wishes to thank the residents of Fleetwood for making her feel so welcome during the shoot."

Frozen goes on general release in the cinemas on Friday (Jan 27).