MORE than £1.5 million in compensation has been paid to the former distant water trawlermen of Fleetwood.

Former Icelandic water fishermen suffered an injustice in losing their jobs at the end of the Cod Wars, said Joan Humble, MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood.

She added: "That injustice has at least been recognised and the whole economy of the Fylde Coast will benefit from the injection of cash.

"Following a recent meeting at the Department of Trade and Industry, I have been told that 125 payments have been made in Fleetwood and 13 in Blackpool totalling £1,547,885.13."

COULD you be Fleetwood's next ferry operator? It's not too late to submit your bid to operate the Fleetwood-Knott End service.

The council is still advertising for a new operator following the withdrawal of the successful bidder.

The ferry service, which operates throughout the summer, provides an important and convenient link between Fleetwood and Knott End. And a new operator is sure to be kept busy.

Julia Walters, divisional manager (planning and traffic), said: "We have had a number of expressions of interest to operate the service but we are keen to encourage as many interested parties as possible".

Contact Daniel Herbert on 887615 or email planning@wyrebc.gov.uk