A COUNCIL has now decided not to "evict" fish from a pond after protests from furious anglers.

Fishermen using Brinkburn Pond, in Darlington, were told by council workers last week that the fish were to be removed in order to protect other species.

After years of peaceful fishing at the pond, the anglers were informed it was unlawful for them to practise their sport and signs were to be put up banning them.

But now a councillor has stepped into the row after reading of the authority's decision in The Northern Echo on Monday.

Bryan Thistlethwaite, ward councillor for Cockerton East and a keen angler himself, said he was shocked by the story.

"The pond has been a general use site since time immemorial.

"It is now designated as a Local Nature Reserve but fishermen have used it for as long as anyone can remember."

Councillor Thistlethwaite pledged to open up talks between the council, the fishermen and wildlife groups to keep the fish in place.

"I'm sure there is a compromise and I think now is the time for discussion.

"We need to have a meeting with all the people involved to explain to them the need for angling and conservation and wildlife to live together.

"The last thing Darlington Borough Council wants is a row between residents, anglers and environmental groups."

A Darlington council spokesman said the fish were not now likely to be removed.

"There will be consultation between all the users of Brinkburn reserve and when we have consulted everybody we will reconsider," he said.

Angler Jason Lennon, 25, said he was elated by the news.

"Pleased is an understatement," he said.

"It is what we have been saying all along. The fish and the other species have co-existed for so long, why change it?

"The majority of anglers have a total respect for wildlife and the other creatures at the reserve."

He said: "I would like to express my gratitude to The Northern Echo as its investigation brought this matter into the public eye."