ANGLERS who fish the waters of Diss Mere are facing a massive increase in the fee charged for renting the lake. The town council has spent £17,265 on installing a silt trap to improve water flow at the local beauty spot, following the death of hundreds of fish during a hot snap last year.

ANGLERS who fish the waters of Diss Mere are facing a massive increase in the fee charged for renting the lake.

The town council has spent £17,265 on installing a silt trap to improve water flow at the local beauty spot, following the death of hundreds of fish during a hot snap last year.

The problem was caused by algal bloom which reduced the amount of oxygen, turning the lake into a pea green "soup", with dying fish gasping on the surface.

Environment Agency experts concluded that the large numbers of fish in the Mere, together with the considerable wildfowl population, was exacerbating the problem.

The town council has therefore put up notices to try and discourage the ducks, coots and other birds by asking people not to feed them.

Diss Angling Club also agreed to do its bit by reducing fish stocks. But there have been signs of algal bloom again this summer, and the town council claims it does not appear to have made much headway.

The club currently pays a rent of £28 a year for the fishing rights, which the council no longer considers to be appropriate, in light of the on-going costs of improving the lake.

The Environment Agency has calculated a commercial rent of £5,000 a year would be in order, based on 20 anglers per week paying £5 for one-day fishing permits.

However, the council thinks it unreasonable to introduce such a large price hike in one go and wants £1,500. The club has offered £400.

A formal meeting is now planned, when club members will be requested to stump up, or produce audited financial accounts to show £1,500 is beyond their means.