Lord Cavendish blocked access to cockle beds in 2003

Talks between the Holker Hall estate of Lord Cavendish and local fishermen took place on Friday in an effort to ease tensions surrounding access to beds.

They followed Lord Cavendish's decision to charge for access to foreshore areas owned by his estates.

But Cumbria Police said they have been told paid access to the beds is to continue for the foreseeable future.

The area hit the headlines after 21 cocklers died when they became stranded in February this year.

Holker Hall initially introduced a permit system in an effort to manage access to the beds, which quickly became oversubscribed.

'Disorder risk'

Estate managers then imposed a �5 levy on every bag of cockles collected by fishermen who accessed the beds from Holker-owned land.

But Cumbria Police became concerned at the practice, which was often enforced by security staff with dogs.

Residents at nearby Kents Bank have also complained about hundreds of cocklers trying to get to beds.

Insp Ally Dufty, of Cumbria Police, said Friday's meeting ended with a decision to continue with the levy system.

She said: "I am slightly disappointed that the status quo is to remain.

'Resources drain'

"I had hoped that a system would be brought in to allow more controlled access to the cockle beds.

"We will continue to have a daily presence at Kents Bank, but this is a drain on resources."

Conservative MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale Tim Collins, has called for government action to stem the "invasion" of cockling gangs from all over the country.

Upwards of 300 cocklers a day have been pouring into Kents Bank, angering residents and prompting fears of disorder.

A Holker Hall spokeswoman said details would be made public later.