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A short film created as a response to the controversial new ‘reality’ show This Is Liverpool has been watched nearly 20,000 times in just four days.

Phenomenal Pictures’ online series was criticised for falsely representing the city and Scousers when a trailer was released earlier this month.

Now stand-up comedian Jake Mills and his wedding video producer girlfriend Rachael Givens have produced an alternative to the clip, titled ‘What is Liverpool? THIS is Liverpool’.

The two-minute film, narrated by Jake and shot by Rachael, features famous landmarks such as the city’s docks, cathedrals and football stadiums.

Rachael, the founder of Lovebug Films, said they had been “overwhelmed” by the reaction.

The 23-year-old, from Walton, said: “When we watched the This Is Liverpool trailer we were both horrified.

“We thought the language used to advertise it was horrible, it was like they were saying ‘you’ve got to watch this because it’s full of shouting and swearing and rows’.

“Jake wrote a piece on his blog and then we thought ‘we’ve got to do something with this’.”

Jake, 25, from Croxteth Park, said he “took it really personally” when he saw the trailer.

He said: “I hate how Liverpool is often portrayed in the national media. We’ve had this stereotype for so long.

“As we’ve seen in the past people not from the city, who have never been to the city or even to the north, they believe these stereotypes, because why wouldn’t they? It’s been on TV.

“It annoys me because I’m incredibly proud of where I’m from.

“I go across the country to do stand-up. I want to show that people from Liverpool are good - I don’t do jokes where I’m putting Liverpool down because it’s not real.

“Rachael is incredibly talented at what she does so we thought maybe we should go out, do something and show people what Liverpool really is.”

The pair uploaded the clip onto the video sharing website Vimeo on Saturday.

Jake said they had since received lots of congratulatory messages from proud Scousers living at home and abroad.

He said: “When we first watched it back even though we created it we were blown away - we got quite emotional!

“It took my breath a little bit and I think that’s shown by the reaction it’s had.”

The Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said he was “very impressed” by the short film.

He said: “I think most people who watch it will get a real buzz from it.

“The video is very well shot and makes the city look fantastic, in the way that it does, and I think it’s well put together and well scripted.

“It says all the things that I think most people who know Liverpool, know make it special.“It’s a positive message that flies in the face of some of the things that will be seen in This Is Liverpool.”

More Merseyside news today:

Former Labour councillor Jake Morrison is in talks with Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson about rejoining the party just over six months since his highly public split

Brothers-in-crime who locked Subway staff in freezer during knife raid jailed by judge

Liverpool teenager determined to walk again after 'miraculous' recovery

Police have cordoned off part of the grounds of Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral after a body was discovered

And from court - paedophile jailed for grooming and having sex with 13-year-old girl in Wirral park