People came together in Morecambe to remember and reflect on the cockling tragedy of 20 years ago.
Two services were held on Monday at the Morecambe in-shore lifeboat station to pay respects to 23 people from China who died while picking cockles in Morecambe Bay on February 5 2004.
An evening service led by the Rt Rev Philip North, Bishop of Blackburn, included a candlelight vigil to remember the victims, who were immigrants forced to work in highly dangerous conditions.
Rt Rev North said he hoped the memorial would also serve to highlight continuing cases of modern slavery.
Rt Rev North is pictured below at last night's service. Image from Lancaster City Council.
James Liu from the Chinese Community Association in North Lancashire said he felt the "love and kindness of people" at the memorial service.
The Morecambe lifeboat crew played a leading part in the rescue and recovery of migrants stranded on the treacherous sands of the Bay.
Paul Turner was the helm of Morecambe lifeboat on the night and said the anniversary was a vivid reminder of the tragedy.
Rev Chris Krawiec, rector of Morecambe Parish Church (pictured below at the service, image from Lancaster City Council), said it was important to mark the anniversary and remember the victims.
Thank you to Nigel Thompson for the above interviews.
An afternoon service was also held at the cockling memorial next to the lifeboat station, attended by members of the emergency and rescue services.
Paul Harrison, who was on duty for Liverpool coastguard that night, and fisherman Harold Benson, who helped with the search, spoke to Beyond Radio about their memories of the tragedy.
Here are some more images from the afternoon service to remember the victims of the Morecambe Bay cockling tragedy.
Lancaster City Council agrees 2.99 per cent rise in Council tax share
Lancashire Police’s share of Council tax to rise by 5.4 per cent
Guys Thatched Hamlet closes suddenly after 46 years
Teenager spared jail for causing death of newborn child in Morecambe
Morecambe Town Council agrees budget and 2.46 per cent rise in Council tax share
Builders of new Lancaster housing development offer £2k cash pot to community groups
Lancaster centre welcomes mayor for opening of new community kitchen
Lancaster shop to close as high street gaming chain faces administration
Jim Bentley returns for second spell as Morecambe FC manager
Ashvir Singh Johal’s reign as Morecambe manager comes to an end
Lancaster writer's ghost story of Morecambe to be voiced by acting legend on Radio 4
Change of name announced for popular Morecambe bar
Opening announced for new Morecambe bistro inside former post office
Health watchdog report shows improvements to services at Royal Lancaster Infirmary
LISTEN: How Leo's Gym is making a difference in memory of young Morecambe boxer
LISTEN: Lancaster set to celebrate Chinese New Year
Lancaster’s Vue Cinema under new ownership
Lancaster city centre car park to close ahead of "catalyst for the development of the Canal Quarter"
Crews tackle commercial building fire in Lancaster
Heritage plaque to mark first Lancaster University site and Gillow factory
