A BAN on cockle picking in Morecambe Bay, where at least 21 people drowned, is being extended to 2006.

The cockle beds were closed off in April this year to allow time for the dwindling population of fishing stocks to increase reports BBC Lancashire.

The North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee said the ban would stay as stocks are still too low, but other sites in the region will be open.

The cockle pickers died in rising tides at Hest Bank in February, 2004.

The ban is being enforced through regular patrols by the committee's fishery officers.

Five people are currently on trial in connection with the deaths of the 21 Chinese cocklers.