FISHING fanatics have become the target of gun-toting and stone-throwing thugs.

Anglers using the Doe Hey reservoirs, off Harper Green Road, Farnworth, say they have been targeted by youngsters with air rifles.

And they claim to have also been pelted by bricks.

Roland Brabin, secretary of Bolton Rivers Angling Society, which leases the Doe Hey water, admitted the attacks were becoming more frequent.

He said: "Kids often throw bricks at us but we just don't know what we're supposed to do to stop it.

"We recently built a little car park to stop break-ins which were happening all the time, but now stones are being thrown over the fence onto the cars."

Last month, anglers claim teenagers fired air rifle pellets from Harper Green Road during a fishing match.

Bob Fernhead, from Walkden, secretary of Farnworth and District Angling Society, said air rifle pellets had slammed into the reservoir bank just yards from anglers in one incident.

He said: "They were hitting trees and ricocheting back. The pellets were going past people's ears.

"Whoever was doing it was just showing a complete disregard for people's safety."

Bolton police chiefs confirmed they would investigate the incidents.

Chief Insp Alan Green said: "I will ask a community beat officer to contact the society and see if he can deal with the issues raised."