TV SOAP opera bosses using cancer as a storyline have been condemned as "sick" by the disgusted daughter of a York man who died of the disease.

Emma Brook last week attended the funeral of her father Malcolm, who died of cancer of the oesophagus.

She is outraged at the current EastEnders plot which features character Ethel Skinner dying of cancer.

Emma, 21, from Huntington, says the "unrealistic" cancer plot is an insult to her father who fought bravely against the disease. She has written to BBC bosses to complain.

She said: "Many people in this country are having their lives torn apart by this disease every day, and do not need to be reminded of this by a light-hearted soap opera.

"Cancer is a cruel disease and people of all ages are struck by it. My dad was only just 50. To show a stupid, sleepy old lady sat in a chair with a cloth on her head is heartbreaking for people who are watching a loved one really die in pain suffering the most horrendous death you can imagine."

In the last few weeks of his life, said Ms Brook, all her father could do was watch television.

"To see my dad's face as the words "cancer" and "dying" were said so easily on British television made me so angry." she added.

Mr Brook, married to Elaine, 47, worked at Portakabin for almost 25 years and was well known at Huntington Working Men's Club where he played in the snooker team.

Ms Brook said: "If the BBC wants to make people more aware of cancer they should show a documentary, or something with real facts not poor acting."

An EastEnders spokesman said: "The current EastEnders storyline involving Ethel Skinner has been thoroughly researched and the BBC has consulted with over 15 different medical consultants and charities to ensure the authenticity of the story."

He said the programme has been complimented on its sensitive portrayal of the issue by Simon Armson, chief executive of the Samaritans and Sir Nicholas Young, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Relief, who said: "It is great that EastEnders is raising the public profile of the issues facing people with cancer and their families."

Ethel, played by Gretchen Franklin, returned to Albert Square last month when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

She has been saving up her morphine pills so she can die with dignity and has asked lifelong friend Dot Cotton to help if she is unable to take them herself.

During the past weeks, she has been seen trying to 'live it up', drinking in the Queen Vic and ringing exotic chat lines.