ANGLERS who fish out of the River Wharfe at Bolton Abbey are seeking compensation from Yorkshire Water after claiming stocks have been depleted.

The angry anglers are among many more along the length of the river down to Tadcaster, who blame the water company for lowering the water levels.

It is said that Yorkshire Water has abstracted too much water from the river since the 1995 drought, resulting in dry river beds depriving fish of vital nutrients.

Now more than nine angling clubs on the Wharfe have joined together to claim up to £100,000 through their parent organisation, the Anglers' Conservation Association.

Bolton Abbey Estates spokesman John Sheard, also a member of ACA, said: "We feel we have come up with enough evidence to justify a claim for compensation, and a claim has been put in. Yorkshire Water said early on that if damage can be proved they would honour any claims."

Yorkshire Water has denied its actions have caused damage to river life. The firm supplements the river's flow when it is low by releasing water from Grimwith Reservoir.

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