ANGLERS who rushed to fish at Marion's Pool when foot and mouth restrictions were dropped at the weekend were amazed when security men told them to clear off.

For as one senior Forest of Dean Angling Club official pointed out the security team at the now-inoperative cattle burning area in the former woodyard behind the pool have been enjoying fishing there themselves.

He claims fuming anglers have simply been able to drive past and see the yellow jacketed men, sometimes part-hidden by broken off branches and bits of debris, casting a line.

The pool, beside the main Gloucester-Monmouth road just outside Coleford at Robin Hood's Junction, holds good coarse fish and is popular with fishermen.

"On Sunday two members of the club were told to stop fishing by the security guards in spite of being told that all Forest waters were open without restrictions from Saturday," the club official told the Review.

"The police were called and on arrival the two members reluctantly left. Club officials were informed and they reaffirmed the anglers had the right to fish.

"The annoying thing is that one or two of these so-called security guards have in fact been fishing this pond since this ban was implemented.

"Forest Enterprise were informed by myself on three previous occasions in the last nine weeks and I was informed that a forest ranger would deal with the matter.

"I would like to emphasise that in no way were they entitled to fish this pond – other members were not entitled to."

The official said he would like anyone who had witnessed the guards fishing the pool to come forward and tell MAFF about it – one way and another they had caused a lot of unnecessary upsets.

Meanwhile all Forest still waters are were now open to fishermen with the exception of Meadow Pond near Symonds Yat, which is on stocked agricultural land.

It is understood that no burning has taken place at the woodyard for several months following complaints from nearby residents.