Cornish cod moving north because of climate change may face difficulties breeding with their Scouse counterparts, experts fear.

Scientists believe that their country and Scouse "accents" - differing sounds the fish make with their swim bladders to attract mates - might get lost in translation.

It is thought some of the cod have developed regional accents, meaning some males may struggle to "chat up" female fish.

This could in turn leave the ability of the relocating Cornish cod to breed in jeopardy.

Noise pollution from boats and other marine activities could also be drowning out the "gossip" cod need to establish territories, raise the alarm and to mate.

Experts believe cod have a series of vocalisations - with the ability to change the patterns of their sounds, produce thumps, growls and different frequencies.

The fish have traditional spawning grounds, making populations quite isolated in reproduction - a process in which males produce a sound to stimulate the females to release their eggs.

Professor Steve Simpson, from the University of Exeter, explained: "Recordings of American cod are very different to those from their European cousins, so there is a precedent.

"This species is highly vocal with traditional breeding grounds established over hundreds or thousands of years, so the potential for regionalism is there".

With climate change, sea temperatures are rising and cold water species such as cod are migrating north.

New research aims to see what is going on in the UK's seas among fish such as cod and haddock, which also use vocalisations.

Professor Simpson has studied fish on coral reefs and found they are susceptible to noise pollution.

Given that cod produce a variety of sounds, "we may find that the 'gossip' essential to their society is being drowned out", he said.

"If we value our fish stocks - or our Friday night fish supper - we need to understand this", Professor Simpson said.