CUMBRIA Police has appointed a cockling officer to help improve safety and reduce disruption throughout Morecambe Bay and south Cumbria.

DC Steve Helmsley will work in partnership with other statutory bodies in an attempt to improve the safety of those working in the cockling industry and minimise any nuisance caused where cockling activity takes place.

DC Helmsley's job will be reviewed on a three-monthly basis and he will report to Insp Richard Vernon, who has overall responsibility for the issue.

Insp Vernon said: "While safety of cocklers out on the sands is not directly a police responsibility we want to contribute fully to the work of other agencies to improve safety and to reduce potential for disorder."

Anyone wishing to contact him can do so on 01539-722611 or 01229-824532.