New measures are proposed at Peterhead fish market after supermarket buyers expressed shock when they spotted some staff walking on fish boxes.

Two security guards will patrol the market in north east Scotland and enforce the present voluntary code of practice which also prohibits spitting, smoking, and wearing dirty overalls or dirty boots.

June is the deadline for improvement

The guards - backed up by the existing security system of TV cameras and monitors - will report persistent offenders who face the prospect of a ban for periods of a month or more.

Talks are now under way with the fishing industry on strengthening the present voluntary code of practice.

The man in charge of the fish market, Peterhead Harbour Trustees Chief Executive, John Paterson, said:

"There are often thousands of boxes of fish on sale at Peterhead but lack of space means some fish buyers and their staff walk on the boxes of fish - the unhygienic practice which recently shocked the visiting supermarket representatives.

"The Scottish Fish Merchants Federation says it welcomes anything that improves fish quality.

"But there are some ordinary workers in the industry who think security guards and bans are going over the top."

The problem of unhygienic practices is not unique to the fish market at Peterhead.

But the authorities here are pressing ahead with talks with the industry aimed at stamping out the problem once and for all.