Several hundred people armed with rakes and buckets descend on the flats of the Helford just past the Ferryboat Inn...
closely inspecting the raked sand and mud...
looking for the elusive cockle...
though with a little practice...
everyone taking part soon gets to spot...
the small but very sweet and tasty cockle...
on the same day, the Bean family and a few friends take part in another old tradition - that of dabbing - here they are just returning from their trip to the mud flats at the head of the river.