ANGLERS today blasted plans for the RSPB to take charge of fishing at Radipole Lake in Weymouth.

They warned that the move could spell the end of angling in the popular beauty spot and hit the resort's economy.

Now they aim to voice their fears at a Weymouth and Portland Borough Council meeting tonight and volunteer to launch a new scheme to manage angling at the lake.

Richard Garton, manager of Weymouth Angling Centre in Trinity Road, claimed most anglers feared that the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) would eventually ban angling in the lake.

He said: "There would be job losses at tackle shops and the town's economy would be affected.

"If an angler comes to Weymouth for a week he has to stay somewhere, eat, drink, park and spend money on other expenses."

The anglers are rallying opposition to the plan after the RSPB offered to take on management of fishing in Radipole Lake as it negotiates to renew its lease with the council to run a bird reserve there.

The charity's offer came as it warned that fishing had become a 'free for all' at the lake under management of angling under the council's control.

Up to 100 anglers have united behind a Save Our Lake campaign and are set to attend a meeting of the council's community regeneration and culture committee tonight when the issue will be debated.

Mr Garton claimed many accusations levelled at anglers as being responsible for such problems as litter and lead poisoning were ridiculous.

Anglers are prepared to take on management of angling at the lake by issuing and checking permits, clearing up litter, building fishing platforms and acting as unpaid bailiffs to monitor the lake in their own time.

Alistair Hounsome, 29, of Top Floor Tackle in Hardye Arcade, Dorchester, said: "Anglers are very angry about it.

"It will be the end of fishing there as the RSPB will eventually find a reason to ban it.

"I have fished down there for nearly 20 years. Fishermen have as much right to be down there as anyone."

Angler Stephen Redpath, 25, who holds a £40 season pass for the lake, said: "It would mean the end of angling if the RSPB takes over.

"Angling is the biggest pastime in town. There are more people fishing there than twitchers.

"We don't go trampling through the reserved and we don't go disturbing birds."

He added: "We have volunteered several times to act as bailiffs at the lake."