Wyre Council itself was stunned when figures revealed that Fleetwood’s fish processing industry, together with what is left of the catching side, has a turnover value of £135 million a year.

But despite the surprise at this sum, Wyre says it has not under-estimated the importance of the town’s fish trade.

And to this effect the council is pressing ahead with the intended fish park within the Fleetwood Masterplan which it is hoped will allow local firms to expand.

Consultants are just a few weeks away from completing a detailed report on the fish park.

Lancashire County Development Ltd are looking into the precise requirements of the project, which would be located on land off the south end of Copse Road

Wyre Council leader Coun Russ Forsyth said: “We knew that fish processing was a major employer in Fleetwood but we didn’t quite realise the level of activity or the scope of the revenue involved.

“It makes it even more vital than the Masterplan allows these businesses to have more space, better premises and the chance to fulfil their full potential.”

Coun Forsyth said the fish park would not only boost the already successful fish processing firms, but by re-locating from their present bases it would free up land near the docks which itself could be re-generated for businesses and offices.

Of the fish processing business involved in a survey on the fish park, 96 per cent responded favourably on the issue.

Developing the fish park would cost around £20 million, with cash likely to come from sources such as a European Fisheries Fund (EFF) bid and the North West Development Agency.

At the recent visit of fishing minister Jonathan Shaw the EFF bid was a key topic.

Coun Forsyth added: “There are existing examples of successful fish parks, such as one in Grimsby. The one in Fleetwood could be more ambitious than that.”