THE River Wear, in Durham City centre, has been cleaned up, after a fisherman described it as "disgusting".

Syd Hewitt said a build-up of rubbish close to Durham Castle and cathedral was putting off tourists and disrupting salmon migration.

Mr Hewitt, who fishes upstream in Shincliffe, also said missing or damaged riverside barriers, poorly kept paths and a protruding manhole cover had made walking along the river dangerous.

After The Northern Echo highlighted Mr Hewitt's concerns earlier this month, several readers spoke out in support of his comments and the authorities have acted.

Durham County Council has put up temporary barriers along the river and the Environment Agency has cleared a number of fish passes - moving about three tonnes of wood.

Mr Hewitt said: "I would like to thank the Environment Agency and the county council for what they have done, The Northern Echo for its report and everyone who has responded.

"The fish passes are now clear so the fish can get access in low water, which has made a lot of fishermen very happy, and the view has improved.

"I want the authorities to now not rest on their laurels, but keep going.

"The falls need to be completely cleaned up, and there are still gaps in the fencing."

On Wednesday, five Environment Agency workers spent eight hours dislodging wood from the fish passes, allowing it to move down river.

A spokeswoman for the agency said: "We have done this from the fishing point of view. We do not believe the River Wear in Durham is a flood risk.

"Access to the river was difficult. We surveyed the depth of the river to make sure it was safe to go in and do the work.

"We descended by ladder and removed about three tonnes of timber.

"We do this once or twice a year and will continue to do so."

The council is trying to determine who owns the riverside fence and who is responsible for repairing it.