Floral tribute to cockle-pickers

A Lancashire council has commissioned a floral tribute to the Chinese cockle-pickers who died in Morecambe Bay five years ago.

At least 21 people drowned when they were cut off by the tide in treacherous weather at Hest Bank, Lancashire, on 5 February 2004.

Lancaster City Council has been working with a local artist to design a display for the Tatton Park Flower Show.

The work will depict a cockle-picker's cart and rake stranded on the bay.

Local artist Chas Jacobs has designed the display, which will go on show at the National Flower Bed Competition in Tatton later this month.

'Deadly nature'

It will depict the same scene which confronted the rescue workers the morning after the tragedy.

Councillor Jon Barry, of Lancaster City Council, said: "Morecambe Bay is one of our district's greatest assets and an extremely important site for wildlife.

"But at the same time its tides and sands are notoriously treacherous and have claimed many lives over the years.

"This year's Tatton display reflects the beauty of the bay at the same as recognising its deadly nature."

Gangmaster Lin Liang Ren, who was based in Liverpool but originally from China, was found guilty of the manslaughter of 21 cockle pickers in March 2006.

It is thought that bodies of two victims have not been found.

The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) was set up by the government after the Morecambe Bay tragedy.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Tatton Flower Show
Lancaster City Council
Gangmasters Licensing Authority
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites