AN anglers' group has vowed to keep going despite a ban on pier fishing.

As part of a multi-million pound project to relocate the Seaham Harbour Dock Company - to allow for the development of housing and leisure facilities - the company has closed both piers to the public.

The ban, which took effect on January 1, means that members of Seaham Angling Club are forced to fish from the beach, which they claim is impossible for those with disabilities or limited strength.

In an attempt to block the ban, hundreds of people signed a petition and the club sought legal advice on the issue. Easington MP John Cummings, MEP Stephen Hughes, Seaham Town Council and Durham County Council also gave their support.

However, the Dock Company claimed it was unable to avoid the ban because of its move and the safety risk posed to members of the public using the piers.

Despite having to move the venue for the first angling competition of the year, the club has vowed to continue.

Chairman Norman Conn said: "We hold competitions practically every week throughout the year and are determined to keep going and not to cancel them.

"It means, however, that the contests will have to be held along the beaches, and you have to be 100 per cent fit to fish there.

"We are expecting a 50 per cent drop in entries."

A meeting between the Dock Company and council officials is due to take place today, although it is unlikely the ban will be revoked.

Mr Conn said he feared the closure of the 573-member group.

"Members of the club have been fishing off both of the piers for the past 90 years - almost since the club was formed in 1912," he said.

"If that route is used for more than 40 years, custom and practice mean that it has become a public right of way."

The club is pinning its hopes on professional researchers finding documents to support members' right to fish from the piers.

Mr Conn said: "We believe the company should provide safe access and we will continue to fight for this."