A working group is being set up to look at the pros and cons of giving Cromer crabs protected brand status.

A fresh move to look at idea has been prompted by environment secretary and South West Norfolk MP Liz Truss who is seeking to get a range of the county's famous foods on the protected list.

It would give them similar status to Melton Mowbray pork pies and Stilton cheese.

North Norfolk fishermen rejected the idea three years ago by 45 votes to 6 after raising concerns about extra cost and paperwork and the difficulties of defining where a Cromer crab came from.

Now the Fisheries Local Action Group (Flag) has set up a working party to explore the issue once more.

Support officer Neil Featherstone said the working party would consist of fishermen and processors and would look at the benefits and impacts of protected status.

'It is just exploration at the moment - and a long process which could take up to 14 months.'

North Norfolk Fishermen's Society chairman Billy Gaff said Flag recognised there would be differing views on how to proceeds, and the working party would be consulting with the groups they represented.

Any decision will again go a vote among the fishing industry.

North Norfolk District Council representative on Flag Hilary Cox said there were a 'lot of conversations to be had' over the various issues.