Hook, line and sink 'em!

The association is responsible for more than 20 waters in the area. But anglers are particularly concerned about the situation at the Bradford and Smiths reservoirs.

In partnership with the People & Places Programme run by Bolton Council, anglers are making a concerted effort to highlight the problems and dangers of dumping in reservoirs, lodges, rivers and ponds.

Over the last few weeks anglers have been at the two waters and the work is expected to be finished by May 18.

Trevor Leese, People & Places Programme Manager, said: "Rubbish in waterways is a serious problem. It is being thrown and dumped by irresponsible people in our reservoirs, rivers and canals, endangering not only animals, birds and fish, but ourselves.

"Last year several people swimming lost their lives by becoming entangled in hidden rubbish.

"Tipping rubbish in rivers is also illegal and can attract fines of £20,000."

The National Rivers Authority is getting tough with the problem and its officers are always on the look-out for likely tippers.

Anglers Association Head Bailiff Peter O'Neill said drug users had left about 50 syringes on the banks of Bradford Reservoir, Great Lever. Gas canisters and glue sniffing materials had also been dumped. And household waste is piling up at Smiths Reservoir, near Smiths Road, between Moses Gate and Darcy Lever.

Mr O'Neill explained: "Bolton Council are providing free skips with bags, gloves, T-shirts and hats.

"We had already cleared two banks of Bradford Reservoir, near Bradford Road, before the latest campaign.

"I visit it regularly and three other bailiffs have been sent to watch for the people dropping syringes and rubbish."

Anglers will team up with British Waterways and Bolton Council's People & Places Programme to clean up Bolton Canal at Hall Lane in the near future.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.