ANGLERS are calling for a reduction of Worcester's swan sanctuary to allow fishing on the stretch of the River Severn between Worcester Bridge and Pitchcroft raecourse.

Fishing along this stretch and below the bridge, in front of Worcester Cathedral, was banned in 1994 in order to protect the swans.

But a group of Worcester fishermen led by aviation historian Dilip Sarkar, of Kingfisher Close, St Peter's, say it is unfair and they have asked for it to be re-considered.

They say that if they were allowed to fish they would voluntarily clear the rubbish, including a bike and concrete bollards, dumped there.

Mr Sarkar, who frequently watches carp in this stretch, said: "I have fished around here since I was 10 years old and it was always free fishing between the bridge and the Rowing Club steps. Kids have always fished there.

"A growing number of anglers are fed up with the swan sanctuary, because it is just too big. Most of the swans gather below the bridge. We are not against them - they look pretty and the tourists like them - and we would not want to fish in that area.

"But I question the legality of the fishing ban, because I believe there is a right of custom here. Is there a bylaw banning fishing on this stretch of the river?"

Mr Sarkar has raised these questions in a letter to city parks, community and conservation officer Warwick Neale.

Mr Neale said: "We take seriously any enquiry and we are looking into the history of the swan sanctuary. I do not want to prejudge the outcome."

Jan Harrigan, of the Swan Rescue Centre at Wychbold, near Droitwich, said she was horrified at the thought of losing the sanctuary now.

"It took three years to get it, after lots of meetings, sometimes very irate, between ourselves, the anglers, Worcester Cathedral, the City Council and the National Rivers Authority, " she said.

"The anglers didn't want to lose it, but we were having really bad problems with angling-related injuries to swans. The birds are fairly safe here now. The anglers have the rest of the river for fishing."

The Worcester News was first to highlight the poor state of the river on our front page on Tuesday.

Since then, Worcester City Council has cleaned up the rubbish as a one-off goodwill gesture, but no agency has overall responsibility for clearing the water.