About 700 people have applied for permits but this is down on 2003

Cockle-picking was suspended at the Salisbury Bank in 2003 because of a decline in the shellfish numbers.

Extra officers have been drafted in by Environment Agency Wales, which has received 700 licence applications.

But concerns have been raised about the safety as the reopened bed can only be reached by boat.

Cocklers from Flintshire have been joined by people from as far afield as Scotland and Poland for the two day activity.

Cocklers with permits are only allowed to harvest during daylight hours.

Many had made their way to the shores by 0400 BST on Wednesday to take advantage of the early sunrise, with some camping out to ensure an early start.

However, the number of people applying for licences was down on the last lifting in 2003, perhaps because the opened Salisbury bed was only accessible by boat.

I want guarantees that this won't escalate out of control Councillor Patrick Heesom

Cockling in the Dee Estuary is a traditional activity carried out by hand-raking at low tide and then "riddling" the cockles to ensure only the larger shellfish are removed.

The Environment Agency, which oversees the sea fisheries, announced last month that the Salisbury Bank bed would reopen on 13 and 14 July with two further harvesting days to be set.

Shell-fishing was suspended on the bank because of a decline in numbers. Three other banks - West Kirby, Thurstaston and Mostyn - will remain closed during the two days of fresh cockling.

The beds will close again late on Thursday while another survey is carried out, and may then re-open later in the month

Under existing laws, there are no limits on the number of licences issued, but the Environment Agency is seeking new regulations for next year, which would restrict the number of licensed cocklers to 50.

Some cocklers were heading to the beds by first light

Police are preparing to put a safety plan into action in partnership with the Environment Agency, the Health and Safety Executive, the Department of Work and Pensions and other agencies.

But Councillor Patrick Heesom, who represents the Mostyn area of Flintshire, said allowing so many cockle pickers out on to the beds is "a recipe for chaos".

"There are serious health and safety issues to be addressed and, with so many licences being issued, I'm concerned that the area is going to become over-run with marauding groups with little concern for the area," he said.

"I want guarantees that this won't escalate out of control."

Some pickers has travelled from as far afield as Scotland and Poland for the opening of the beds.

Reg Blythe travelled from Dumfries on Tuesday to ensure he was in Flintshire in time and slept on the banks of the estuary overnight.

He said: "This is the only cockle bed that's open at the moment and it's open for two days.

"A lot of these guys have been out of work for two-and-a-half months now, it's time to make money."

Mike Carruthers left home in the Lake District at 0100 BST to arrive at the estuary by 0400 BST.

"We've worked Morecambe Bay (in Lancashire) for a few years now, that's closed and we've got ourselves permits to come down here because we've got no work," he said.