The Coastguard said it was being used a "tow" service

The Nith inshore lifeboat was scrambled at 0430 BST on Wednesday following reports of three boats in trouble just south of Glencaple.

The vessels, with eight cocklers onboard, were all brought ashore.

A spokesman for the Coastguard Agency said no-one was injured but criticised cocklers who seemed to be treating them as a "tow service".

Paul Harrison of the Liverpool Coastguard said it was irresponsible and dangerous behaviour.

"They are not only putting themselves at risk, they are putting our crews at risk who are sent out to rescue or locate these people," he said.

"Whether they think we are just a tow service - which we are not - we are there for safety of life."

'Real trouble'

Meanwhile, the chairman of the organisation set up to regulate the Solway cockle beds has again warned that they do not have enough powers to combat unlicensed operators.

The fishery's season will end later this month and re-open in August with stronger policing powers.

Jock Purdie of the Solway Shellfish Management Association fears stocks could be severely depleted by then.

"We have heard rumours of boats coming in at night at the present moment," he said.