TWO entrepreneurs have joined forces to open-up a new Bardsea fish-packing plant, reports Jennie Dennett.

Rob Benson from Barrow and Hampshire-based Omar Namor are set to invest more than £100,000 to turn a coast road industrial unit into a centre for ice-packing Morecambe Bay's catch and exporting it to London and Europe.

"At the moment, local fisherman have got no local options of what to do with their catch," said Mr Benson, a long-standing fisherman from a Flookburgh cockling family.

"When they have been out, mostly fishing at night, they're travelling probably to Fleetwood to sell their catch which puts another six hours on the end of their day.

"The aim is to provide a service and in return provide fish in absolute premium condition because the sooner they go on ice the better. The intention is also to pay the lads the best price."

There will be some cockles passing through the depot, said Mr Benson, but added that the Bardsea venture was chiefly about exporting fish like sea bass, mullet and fluke a local Flounder which they intend to market.

The idea came about after Mr Benson met Dr Namor last year when cockling took off in the bay. Dr Namor buys cockles for export to Spain through his Hampshire firm Eximar. The partners say the venture christened King-fisher Seafood - will generate one full-time job and two to three part-time posts for local people. It has received a £4,000 start-up grant from Furness Enterprise.