A MOTHER-of-two is calling for action after narrowly avoiding being speared by a large fish hook while swimming in Poole.

Nichola Saunders is currently visiting her mother in Branksome with her husband Chris and their daughters Ayesha, 13, and Tamara, 11.

The family went to the beach in Branksome on Tuesday and were appalled to discover around 12 barbed fish hooks in the water, inside an area cordoned off for safe bathing.

Mrs Saunders, who lives in Oxford, said: "Two other girls started screaming because they had found this fish that was hooked. My daughter went to get the lifeguard who came out and was trying to unhook the fish.

"But you could see about five hooks, really big fishing hooks, inside the rope that was supposed to indicate safe bathing.

"Then we were a bit further out and Tamara was diving down and she came up suddenly and said: 'Stop, don't move'.

"There were still hooks in the sand where people were swimming. If I had taken a step further I would have stood on one. I was absolutely furious."

Mrs Saunders said the lifeguard told her hooks were often left by anglers fishing at night.

But she said the fishermen had to take responsibility and clear up after themselves before someone was seriously hurt.

She added: "It's just so irresponsible of the anglers. It's supposed to be safe bathing but it's not. I dread to think if a tiny little one stood on one.

"They weren't just fishing hooks, they had barbs on as well and there was a huge heavy weight on them with five or six hooks on each weight. I'm quite surprised that no one got hurt."

Naomi Kelly, lifeguard supervisor for the RNLI lifeguards in Poole, said she had not received any reports of fish hooks being found in the sea.

She added: "It's not a regular occurrence. If you do spot a fish hook, avoid it if you can and either alert one of the lifeguards or one of the council wardens and then we can come down and deal with it.

"We do have special equipment and we can dispose of sharp items safely."

First published: August 22