Legal cockling on the Solway Firth could be set to return

Fisheries Minister Ross Finnie has put the order to the Scottish Parliament.

The move comes after repeated warnings about the risk of lives being lost through illegal cockling in the area.

The order takes 21 days to clear and once open the fishery will have a new licensing system and be regulated by a local management association.

Mr Finnie said the time was right to bring the reopening of the fishery a step closer.

"The order will now undergo parliamentary scrutiny before a final decision is reached," he said.

Any illegal activity on the Solway is highly irresponsible and not only puts the lives of those flouting the law at risk but also the lives of those called to their rescue Ross Finnie Fisheries minister

"I am optimistic, however, that when the process is complete we will be in a position to open the Scottish Solway cockle fishery under the terms of the regulating order."

The minister repeated his warning that cockling on the Solway in the meantime remains illegal.

"Any illegal activity on the Solway is highly irresponsible and not only puts the lives of those flouting the law at risk but also the lives of those called to their rescue," he said.

"Anyone caught doing this will be reported for prosecution."

Warnings have been issued in recent weeks about the risk of tragedy in the fast-moving Solway tides.