Mr Eden and his father are accused of immigration offences

David Eden, 61, and his 33-year-old son, of the same name, are accused of conspiracy to commit immigration related offences.

The pair, the father from Thingwall Road, Irby, and his son from Woodchurch Road, Prenton, appeared before Lancaster magistrates.

They were bailed to appear before Preston Crown Court on 3 August.

The pair run the Liverpool Bay Fishing Company and are alleged to have carried out the offences between 1 August, 2003, and 5 February, 2004.

'Bodies never found'

Five people have now been charged over the events that led to the deaths of 21 Chinese cockle pickers off Hest Bank on 5 February.

Police believe two more people drowned as they were caught by fast-rising tides, but their bodies have not been found.

Lin Laing Ren, 27, of Lemon Street, Liverpool, is charged with 21 counts of manslaughter, charges of conspiracy to commit facilitation and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Zhao Qing Xiao, also known as Eva, 19, also of Lemon Street, is charged with conspiracy to commit facilitation and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Lin Mu Yong, 29, of Jason Street, Liverpool, is charged with conspiracy to commit facilitation.