RUBBISH littering the shoreline close to where dozens of cockle pickers gather in Bolton-le-Sands could be tackled with the creation of a by-law, says the local MP.

Morecambe and Lunesdale MP Geraldine Smith is calling on local authorities to take responsibility for such problems blighting the lives of local residents.

"Local authorities can do something," she said.

Ms Smith is meeting with the Lancaster City Council chief executive, the county council director of highways and Bolton-le-Sands Parish Council this Friday.

She intends to ask them to introduce a by-law under the Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1907 which helps local authorities regulate the use of the sea shore.

It also enables authorities to provide for the preservation of order and good conduct for the purpose of preventing danger, obstruction or annoyance to persons using the seashore'.

Bye-laws can be made under this power by county, district and parish councils.

They can be used to restrict certain aspects of an activity, such as to certain areas or times of the day subject to a wide consultation.