Cockle rescuers scrambled again

Coastguards have been called out twice in 12 hours for rescues

The coastguard has been called to two cockling rescues on the Solway Firth in the space of 12 hours.

The first incident occurred at around 0430 BST on Wednesday, with the second at about 1600 BST when a dinghy was seen drifting near Caerlaverock.

Coastguards said the cost of four recent rescue operations had now run to tens of thousands of pounds.

It is believed the same boat was involved in both of the most recent rescue incidents.

It has led to Dumfries Labour MSP Dr Elaine Murray calling for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the rescues.

'Very dangerous'

She said: "The first question that must be asked is whether the cocklers were fishing legally or illegally - if the latter, they have been breaking the law and should be prosecuted.

"If they have been fishing legally, questions still should be asked as to why the people concerned got into difficulty.

"Several cocklers who were unsuccessful in applying for licences raised concerns with me that some successful applicants had not been honest about their previous experience of fishing on the Solway.

"It's quite likely that inexperienced people would get into difficulties as the Solway can be very dangerous.

"I hope that the Solway Shellfish Management Association will check the licence applications of those people who have had to be rescued - for their own safety apart from anything else."