The group are suspected of illegal cockle-picking

It is thought that the group - which is of Chinese origin - was involved in illegal cockle-picking on the sands at Morecambe Bay.

They were arrested in the Chatsworth Road area of Morecambe on Monday.

A Lancashire Police spokeswoman said three vehicles containing the 37 suspected illegal immigrants were stopped on Monday at 1630 BST.

She said: "This incident appears to follow on from something that occurred back in July when complaints were received from the public about the activities of the Chinese cockle-pickers who were becoming a growing concern to the community."

Town 'targeted'

The matter has been passed on to the Immigration Service.

It has been reported that groups of fishermen from across the UK have been flocking to Morecambe Bay to get cockles from the beach.

Following the closure of fisheries in south Wales, the Solway and Scotland, where cockles were found to be contaminated, the Lancashire town has been targeted by those hunting for the shellfish.

Angry locals said the public should be allowed to pick cockles, but those doing it for a business should be regulated and licensed.