The story of Cornish sea shanty group the Fisherman's Friends is to be made into a film. The good news will be welcomed by supporters of the band still mourning the death of singer Trevor Grills and tour manager Paul McMullen, who died in an accident at the G Live theatre venue in Guildford earlier this year.

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The film, to be directed by Nigel Cole, will chart a journey that started in a pub in Port Isaac and led to the Sunday morning slot on the main stage of Glastonbury festival in 2011. The 10-strong group of fishermen, coastguards and lifeboatmen gained a boost after DJ Johnnie Walker heard them play while on holiday in the Cornish village. A £1m record deal soon followed.

Cole, the director of hit comedies Calendar Girls, Made in Dagenham and the Port Isaac-set Saving Grace, told the BBC he was looking forward to transforming the band's success story into a "truly British film". He is working alongside St Trinian's scriptwriters Nick Moorcroft and Piers Ashworth.

The youngest member of the Fisherman's Friends is 45, the oldest is 80. No casting details have yet been announced, but filming is set to begin in spring 2014.