WARDENS today demanded tough new controls over fishing at Radipole Lake bird reserve amid fears for its future.

Keith Ballard, manager of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) reserve, claimed the beauty spot had become a 'free for all' for anglers under enforcement of fishing rights by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

Concerns for the nationally important reserve - in a document drawn up by Mr Ballard and RSPB regional reserves manager Steve Marshall - also included the silting up of the lake and damage to protected wildlife and important habitats.

Other problems have included the blocking of paths, damaging effects of carp in the lake, death and suffering to birds from lines and hooks, fishing during closed season, litter and the absence of bailiffs to enforce conditions in permits.

The report claimed that wardens and bailiffs have occasionally been physically assaulted or harassed by anglers, that the council has failed to build new fishing platforms and that the problems have 'severely compromised' its ability to manage the bird reserve

Now the RSPB wants to launch a £2 million plan to restore the site and take over the management of fishing rights from the council, which would include the issuing of permits and the introduction of a code of conduct.

The proposals are to be considered by the council's community regeneration and culture committee next Wednesday.

Mr Ballard and Mr Marshall said: "The situation cannot be allowed to continue as it is having a major negative effect on the important wildlife habitats and the enjoyment of the reserve by visitors."

They added that increased siltation of the lake was being caused by sediments from the River Wey, the council's failure to implement an agreed water level management plan and carp stirring up lakebed sediment.

The RSPB plan includes monitoring of the fish population, the potential removal of damaging species and the option to ban fishing.

The demands come as the RSPB enters into negotiations with the council to renew its 35-year lease for management of the lake as a nature reserve.

The lake, which attracts more than 35,000 people every year, is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Ian Locke, director of community services, said that the £2,000 annual income from fishing permits was not enough to cover the costs of employing a bailiff or build fishing platforms on the lakeside along Radipole Park Drive.

He added in a report to the committee: "A voluntary bailiff has been appointed from time to time but this has been inconsistent over the years. The result is that fishing is not well controlled."

Now he has written to angling representatives, tackle shops and other agencies to obtain views before the meeting.