31 July 2012 Last updated at 19:21 ET

Ribble Estuary cockling restarts after quality tests passed

The cockle beds at Foulnaze Bank were closed in November for safety reasons

Cockling in West Lancashire has resumed after a council announced the molluscs had passed a quality test.

The Ribble Estuary's Foulnaze bed was due to reopen on 25 July, but the start date was put back a week while West Lancashire Council carried out tests.

The cockle beds were closed in November after 26 coastguard rescues of ill-equipped and unlicensed boats in two months, during a cockle "gold-rush".

Councillor David Sudworth said he was "delighted" cockling was resuming.

The council has worked with several organisations, including the North West Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, to ensure the reopening of the bed.

A spokesman said the authority would continue to review the microbiological quality of the cockles on a monthly basis.