A NORTH-East escort agency has criticised a television documentary over its portrayal of the industry.

Choice Escorts, based on Tyneside, said Channel Four's programme, Sleepers, which was screened last Thursday, painted an inaccurate picture of the escort business.

Manager Michelle Norton said that, contrary to its message, many agencies were run legally and responsibly, and did not exploit women.

She said: "The programme featured a lot of girls who were illegal immigrants and were being forced to work as escorts to stay in the country.

"They were seen as exploited women who hated what they were doing. That's not the case. Women who work for us love what they do. They dip in and out of it as they please - and they like the fact they can make a lot of money.

"This programme was negative and didn't show any positive sides of the business."

A former nurse, Ms Norton plans to campaign for a code of practice for the industry