Fleetwood's flagging fishing industry is set to receive an economic boost with the launch of a new training and skills initiative in the port.

The project aims to begin to replenish increasingly dwindling numbers of skilled dockside workers - both men and women - who are an important part of Fleetwood's £50m fishing industry.

Up to ten trainees will complete a five-day course at a quayside factory unit supplied by industry forum - Seafood Northwest Ltd - where they will learn basic food hygiene, an understanding of different varieties and quality and knife skills.

It is hoped the project - funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the North West Development Agency and the Learning and Skills Council - will run for two years with graduates receiving an NVQ standard qualification and certificate from the national Seafish organisation.

Organisers also hope the scheme will go on to be developed to include other trades within the industry such as supermarket staff, fishmongers, kitchen staff and fish fryers.

Seafish Group Training Association Manager, Arthur Brecknell said: "Initially the aim is to train people to work in fish processing. But we know from the experience of colleagues linked to the Billingsgate wholesale market in London that the potential is much wider."

The project's practical trainer, veteran Fleetwood fish merchant - Richard Horabin - is also positive about the future.

Mr Horabin - who owns and operates the award-winning Seniors fish restaurant at Normoss - said: "This will be like a getting a driving licence.

"Just as you really learn to drive after your test so these basic skills we teach will be honed in the workplace.

"It takes practice to get the skill and the speed."

Wyre Borough Council's Economic Portfolio holder, Cllr Keith Tebbs added: "Wyre has always tried to support the fishing industry at Fleetwood and this is one of the ways we can do that - a modern approach to keeping traditional skills alive for the future."