The River Ribble is quite rightly extremely popular with anglers who travel from far and wide to fish its waters.

But there are not many places where youngsters can try their hand without having special permits or membership of a specialist club.

The idea of having a stretch where youngsters aged eight to 18 can learn the art and perfect their skills is a good one.

But now the area between Ribblesdale Pool and the start of Low Moor which has been used for many years is being moved further away from Clitheroe.

The reason is that councillors and council officers are worried because the river’s steep embankment can become slippery and they fear a child could fall in.

The chairman of Ribblesdale Angling Association, who has fished there for sixty years in all conditions, says he has had no problems and rightly adds that all anglers should know how to swim.

But, as he also points out, times have changed.

These days it’s sad but the council has to act to protect itself from being sued for not taking sufficient care to ensure the riverbank is safe for children.