A FILM-MAKER’S footage of the Christmas Day swim in Clacton has missed the cut for a major motion picture.

Richard Nettleingham, 34, from Colchester, created a short film about the sea swim last year.

The footage was lined up to be used in the movie, Christmas in a Day, produced by Hollywood director Ridley Scott’s production company, RSA Films, with acclaimed director Kevin MacDonald in charge.

The company asked Mr Nettleingham if they could use the footage after spotting it on YouTube, but before he could do so, he needed permission from the parents of 12-year-old Thomas Starling, who is prominently featured.

Mr Nettleingham tracked him after an appeal in the Gazette, sent off the consent forms and footage off, only to learn it arrived too late to go in the film but would be used for the trailer.

Mr Nettleingham said: “It’s bitterly disappointing.

“It would have been amazing to see it on the big screen as part of the film.

“I feel terrible for the kid. I was amazed we managed to find him. This has just left us all disappointed. It’s a big shame.”

Tina Starling, Thomas’s mum, said: “I got calls from a couple of people, saying he was in the paper and people wanted to get hold of him. It was a bit of a shock, but we got it sorted out.

“ It’s a shame it didn’t work out, but it's exciting that he might be a part of the trailer.”

Christmas in a Day is a compilation of clips submitted by people from across the country.