RESIDENTS fear anglers are spoiling a popular Frodsham beauty spot.

The town council is concerned that land it owns at Crowmere Lake has become a regular weekend haunt for people from outside the area who set up unauthorised fishing camps, disturbing residents and littering the site with rubbish.

Town and Vale Royal Borough Cllr Lynn Riley claims the problem is escalating and Frodsham council is now considering imposing a by-law to rid the site of the unwanted visitors.

'People have always fished at Crowmere and we've never had any major problems with that, so we don't want to stop the day fishing,' said Cllr Riley.

'But for months now people have been pitching tents up there and fishing at night, too. Specific groups, mainly teenagers from Runcorn, are dropped off by an adult in a car on a Friday and they pitch tents and stay all weekend.

'It started with a couple of kids, but the numbers are growing. Last weekend there were about 15 of them with five tents along the grassed area.

They're bringing big gas bottles with them and there's no toilet facilities so, as well as all the litter, you can imagine what else they leave behind.

'I live a little way down from the lake and can hear them shouting and their radios blaring and I know other residents who live nearby are deeply concer ned.'

Cllr Riley added: 'If you want to camp anywhere you have to have permission from the landowner and, as far as the town council is concerned, it is inappropriate at Crowmere Lake and not allowed.

'This is a town council amenity which residents pay for. It's fine for people from outside the area to enjoy it too, but when they are bringing with them all this associated mess, it's time for the town council to step in.'

Inspector Phil Hodgson said the police were keeping a close eye on the situation.