POLICE have promised to back responsible fishermen who are worried about the threat from illegal anglers.

Recently Wigan and District Angling Association has been concerned about anglers fishing at night and are determined to put a stop to it.

The permit-less fishermen have been confronted by bailiffs at Fan Lodge at Bickershaw but this only produced threatening behaviour.

"Who's going to do anything about it" was only one of the remarks aimed at the volunteer bailiffs who are in their sixties and have been instructed to walk away from any such confrontation.

The Association issues licences for all its members and does not feel that the prices should provoke people into fishing without permission.

Jim Pidgeon, secretary of the Association, does, however, realise that some of the fish in the waters are extremely valuable. He said: "Some carp go for up to £500 if they weigh 20lbs plus when sold to other fisheries."

Mr Pidgeon estimates that the Association has 2000 members and it has spent over £7,000 in the last two years tidying and replenishing the Fan Lodge fishery, which is set in 13 acres of land .

Expansion plans for the site would attract disabled anglers and more teenagers.

Community policeman PC Simon Booth said specimen fish had been taken at night and the thieves had later returned to collect their catch.

"We will be supporting any prosecutions," said PC Booth.