Cockling along the Fylde Coast is 'getting out of hand' county council chiefs have warned.

More than 350 people flocked to a small cockle bed which opened in Fleetwood last month, clearing it in just two days, and Lancashire County Council has called on the government to tighten cockling laws as soon as possible.

Cllr Keith Riley, who represents Fleetwood West on the county council, said: "The situation in the cockle and mussel industry is getting out of hand with people turning up in huge numbers to harvest the cockle beds until they are stripped bare.

"The lack of regulation provided by the present permit scheme leaves the industry wide open to illegal activity such as tax fraud, employment of illegal immigrants and dangerous working practices.

"This presents not only a risk to the local economy and ecology but can cause a considerable nuisance to local residents and is potentially dangerous as it is difficult to ensure the safety of such large numbers of gatherers."

Comprehensive new legislation is being prepared but is unlikely to make it to the statute books until 2008.

But Cllr Riley added: "We want the government to take action now, not in 2008 which is the earliest foreseeable date that the legislation tabled this year would take effect."

The council has called for a licensing system with registration and training for all gatherers, controls on the number of people allowed to harvest and a licence fee, which would go towards enforcement.

Cllr Hazel Harding, the council's leader, said: "Proposals for a more comprehensive licensing scheme have the support of local MPs, authorities and the gatherers themselves.

"Licensing would cover the costs of properly enforcing the law and ensure that the local economy receives the maximum benefit from these fisheries."