'Clean and safe' cockle beds reopen after ban

Cockles are commercially harvested in the waters off Heacham

A ban stopping fishing in waters off a Norfolk beach has been lifted.

The fishing fleet in Heacham has been allowed to return to its South Beach, also known as Stubborn Sands, weeks after it was shut due to high bacterial levels.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) worked with King's Lynn and West Norfolk Council (KLWNBC) to advise them on when the restrictions should be put in place.

They confirmed to the BBC that in July, Stubborn Sands Inner recorded an E. coli result which triggered a temporary closure for commercial harvesting.

That ban on fishing off Heacham was subsequently lifted in September.

Sandra Squire, cabinet member for environment at KLWNBC said in a report:

"Stubborn Sands inner cockle bed is to reopen after two successive tests have proved shellfish are now clean and safe.

"I have certainly enjoyed seeing the fishing fleet off the coast of Hunstanton recently. It is a valuable reminder of how fishing continues to be an important part of the heritage and business."

Heacham's coastal waters are classified as "poor" by the Environment Agency due to the high levels of bacteria found there.

Over the past three years similar bans have been put in place during the summer months.

While the underlying cause of the poor water quality at Heacham is not clear, the numbers of birds feeding on the coastline nearby, warm weather and pollution run off have all been blamed.