St Annes cocklers rescued by lifeboat

Three cocklers had to be rescued by lifeboat crews when they got into difficulties on their way to the cockle beds in the Ribble estuary.

The men were heading to Lytham St Annes when the engine on their inflatable dinghy broke down at about 04:40 BST, leaving them drifting out to sea.

A second boat went to help them but it also got into difficulties.

A lifeboat was despatched to rescue the cocklers and they and the two boats were back ashore by 08:45 BST.

Liverpool Coastguard said the three cocklers were rescued by the lifeboat and the second boat made its own way back using its auxiliary engine.

No-one was injured in the incident.