Colchester must wait to find out if its famous oysters will get protected status, the town's MP has been told.

A Parliamentary written answer to Lib Dem Bob Russell said a decision is not yet made on proposals to prevent rival oyster fisheries selling their products under the Colchester name.

An application for a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) to rank the Colchester Native alongside Parma ham, Arbroath smokies and Champagne was made two years ago, but the parliamentary answer said a consultation process had thrown up objections which needed consideration.

The communication from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said a "constructive meeting" of interested parties was held in May.

Mr Russell said he would now submit a second question, asking what progress had been made since then.

"It would be nice if we could get the PGI agreed by the time of the oyster feast, or better still for the opening of the oyster fisheries," he said. "Hopefully, my further parliamentary question will achieve this."

The final decision on the PGI will be made by the European Union.