Some of the wagons from the stricken Riverdance ferry have shed their loads – which include peat, compost and McVities milk chocolate biscuits.

Wrappers from the sweet snacks were strewn across the beach and seagulls were spotted raiding the edible booty.

Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of State's Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention, was quick to state Blackpool would not see scenes of looters like those witnessed when a container ship ran aground in Devon, last year.

He said: "There was a report just after it grounded that some of the cargo had been lost from the vessel, but we had no concerns about that.

"There was some peat and compost coming up on the beach, but the local authority was quick to recover that.

"We have set up a temporary 450m exclusion zone that precludes anybody from entering the beach or the sea near the vessel, except for the salvers and anyone involved in the operation.

"I would like to thank local authorities, including the police and local residents for their cooperation at this time.

"It must be difficult with the traffic situation - as many people have been coming down to view the vessel - but I'm grateful for people's patience. We are endeavouring to carry out this out as quickly as we can."