A TURF war over cockle beds in Morecambe Bay could lead to another horrific tragedy.

That's the worry after more than 140 Chinese and Scottish cocklers were stranded on the sands after their tractors crashed.

The incident last Saturday morning is one of many near miss' rescue operations launched on the Bay since February 5 when 21 Chinese cocklers perished after being trapped by rising tides near Hest Bank.

Geraldine Smith, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, says rivalry between cockle gangs has been going on for years But she says tensions are flaring now more than ever and people are taking more risks because of the rich-pickings to be had from the Bay's cockle beds.

"I can find no other explanation as to how two tractors would collide on a bright sunny day when you could see for miles in the Bay. It leads me to suspect it was a result of a turf wars," she says.

"There is a tragedy waiting to happen here. There have been so many near misses and if further action is not taken more people will die it is only a matter of time."

She says the incident yet again highlights the need for proper regulation on Morecambe Bay something such as a licensing scheme with access restricted to bona fide fishermen only.

It would police itself' because, rather than ramming a tractor into each other, fishermen would call the authorities and let them know that unlicensed people were operating in the bay.

Ms Smith refers to Cedric Robinson's book, where he highlights disputes between fishermen over cockle and mussel beds during the 1980s and 90s.

And she says: "It is not a new thing, there has always been shellfish wars in the Bay but something needs to be done to stop it now."

She is holding a meeting with local fishermen, DEFRA and the North Western Sea Fisheries on Monday following the growing concern over cocklers.