CARELESS anglers are being ordered to clean up their act or face being cast off the Jumbles reservoir.

United Utilities, which runs the reservoir says it is getting tough and will ban anglers from the free fishery if people do not stop discarding fishing lines and leaving banks covered in litter.

Estate manager Roy Rhodes said: "The prospect of the carelessness of a few ruining a free, public fishery increases for every day these problems continue."

"When I began working here in 1977 I remember picking up discarded fishing lines on my first day.

"Glynn Haworth, our ranger, is still having to do the same job today, but it is getting much worse."

Fishing lines and broken tackle left lying around can be a killer for wildlife who get tangled up in them as can litter strewn on the ground.

"We continue to have a small minority of visitors, not just anglers, who seem to have little regard for the countryside," said Mr Rhodes.

Recent incidents include:

Birds including great crested grebes getting tangled as they dive for fish

Bait left on hooks on the banks which are picked up by birds such as robins and then choke or get caught in the line.

The RSPCA being called to cut down dead songbirds from trees after being caught in fishing lines left in branches

People spotted fishing from a motorboat late at night on the reservoir even though boating is illegal.

Other visitors can also help by feeding ducks at marked zones away from fishermen and not allowing dogs to go into the water near the anglers.

"Jumbles should be an area for everyone to enjoy, it just takes a bit of thought on everyone's part," said Mr Rhodes.