FREE fishing on the banks of the River Ribble, in Clitheroe, is set to be moved to a fresh stretch amid safety concerns for young anglers.

Currently, fishing enthusiasts aged eight to 18 are permitted to fish on the 167 metres between Ribblesdale Pool and the start of Low Moor.

But town hall chiefs are worried that the Ribble’s embankment there is too steep, and there is a risk of drowning.

Councillors on Ribble Valley’s community services committee are now being asked to approve proposals to shift the fishing rights further along the Ribble, to a 227-metre leg, downstream of Edisford caravan site.

Under the existing long-standing initiative, anglers under 11 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

But there are fears that young anglers may still be attracted to try their hand on their own, and unsupervised.

John Heap, the council’s community services director, said in a report: “The embankment becomes extremely slippery when wet, and can only be negotiated with care.

“Should a person slip down the embankment, they could easily continue into the river channel.

“lf that person were small, and the river was in any other state than the ‘dry weather flow’, that person could have difficulty in climbing out of the river.”

The banking near the caravan park is said to be much shallower.

“The potential for drowning, or distress, is very much reduced,” added Mr Heap.

The only other alteration to the scheme should see the fishing rights extended yet further.

At present, only under-18s resident in Clitheroe can participate, but youngsters in the rest of the Ribble Valley are now expected to be given the privilege.

Fred Higham, chairman of Ribblesdale Angling Association, said the important thing was that youngsters take part.

He said: “We have to encour-age youngsters to fish, and to get out into the countryside.

“That is the most important thing.

“As for safety, it’s a different world now and these rules have to be adhered to.

“It is crazy, because I am over 70 and have been fishing on those banks since I was 10, in all conditions, with no problems.

“Of course, anyone fishing needs to know how to swim, but if you do, you’re alright.

“However, I understand why the council has to do it because things have changed.”