Police have spoken to 22 families of the cockle tragedy victims

Eight police officers are due to return to the UK on Wednesday after carrying out inquiries in China.

The team has met the 22 families of the victims of the Morecambe Bay tragedy since they travelled out on 14 April and obtained a series of DNA samples.

On Monday the force said the samples will be sent to the coroner who is expected to then open an inquest.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Brunskill, of Lancashire Police, said the identification of the victims - believed to be all from China's Fujian province - should be available in about three weeks.

'Moving experience'

He said: "With the assistance of the local mayor and police in five different towns we visited we were able to obtain DNA samples that should confirm identification."

The cocklers died when they were caught in fast incoming tides at night, off Hest Bank on the bay, early in February.

Mr Brunskill said his team was "impressed by the respect and gratitude expressed by the families during the interviews".

"All of this was a moving experience and we were able to share in the grief quite openly expressed at times, and yet always with dignity," he added.

Following the tragedy two people arrested over the deaths of the cockle pickers had the charges against them dropped on 13 April.

Another six arrested in connection with the tragedy are currently on extended bail.

Four of the six are no longer suspected of manslaughter and are being questioned over "serious" immigration offences.