Maldon's reputation for oysters was eroded in the 1960s

Businessmen Richard Emans and David Coward-Talbott are hoping to lay 10 million oysters in sheltered sea beds at the old Several Fishery, near Osea Island, Maldon, Essex.

The pair have been granted a 25-year lease to farm the beds by Maldon District Council, but will not see any oyster revenue for four years while the shellfish grow.

Diseases, and bad weather, eroded Maldon's reputation for the shellfish in the 1960s.

'A lot of oysters'

Mr Coward-Talbott, who farms oysters with the Essex Oyster Company, told the BBC it will take a long time to set up this operation

He said they are really looking to the future of the river and restoring the shellfish industry.

He said there is an increasing demand for oysters.

"I believe if we do our job right we will be selling a lot of oysters," he said.