THE BBC was accused of "discrimination" yesterday for using English subtitles in a show about Scots fishermen.

Trawlermen features boat crews from the north-east of Scotland, who often speak in the Doric.

Producers feared no-one outside Aberdeen would be able to understand them, so decided to use subtitles.

But the move has come under fire. Banff and Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson said: "People will be able to understand what's being said, the subtitles are completely unnecessary.

"I think if we're going to discriminate on the matter of subtitles, then we should subtitle every regional accent.

"I remember trying to watch the first episode of Eastenders, and switching it off because I couldn't understand what was being said.

"I look forward to the soap being given the same treatment."

Trawlermen gives an insight into the tough, and sometimes dangerous, world of fishermen.

Skipper Jimmy Buchan, 46, who owns prawn trawler The Amity II, is one of the stars.

The father-of-two from Peterhead was told to try and make the series as realistic as possible, so did not try to change his strong accent.

But the filmmakers have tried to make things clearer with subtitles, most commonly found in foreign films.

This makes the "mither tongue, " as Doric is known, accessible for audiences south of the border.

Sandy Stronach, director of the Doric Festival, said: "I laughed when I first saw the show and realised it was subtitled.

"The people who make these programmes live in a different world and are detached from reality.

"But they would never subtitle someone from Liverpool, Newcastle or the East End of London. It's unnecessary and the wrong attitude to have."

Despite the "stushie" (Doric for a row) Trawlermen has become an unexpected hit.

Since it started on Monday it has been drawing in five million viewers, 25-per cent of the viewing audience.