ANGLERS who fish one of the North-East's prime stretches of river are ending their season early because of foot-and-mouth restrictions.

There has been no fishing on the upper stretches of the River Wear, in County Durham, since February.

Now, officials of the Upper Weardale Angling Association have decided to bring the season to an end.

Secretary Herbie Lee said: "Because of the foot-and-mouth restrictions, which have covered paths alongside the river, the season has been a complete washout."

What has been particularly frustrating for anglers is the season has been one of the best on the stretch of river from Westgate to Cowshill.

But that stretch is now within a foot-and-mouth Blue Zone, because of outbreaks on the nearby Northumberland border.

Mr Lee said: "What is particularly galling is that we stocked the river in the spring with 400 brown trout and there was a prospect of excellent angling.

"It's been a disastrous year for anglers, but we should manage to paddle through to next season."

Further down the river - at Frosterley and Wolsingham, where Blue Zone restrictions do not apply - and at nearby Tunstall reservoir, anglers are continuing to enjoy a largely uninterrupted season.

But all angling on the Derwent Reservoir, at the heart of the Blue Zone, has been cancelled for the rest of the year.

Read more about the foot-and-mouth crisis here.