RADCLIFFE anglers have expelled nine members of their club after they tried to set up their own group under the same name.

When two members of Radcliffe Angling Society (RAS) were suspended for disruptive behaviour and bringing the club into disrepute, they decided to rebel.

They organised a meeting to elect a new committee and publicised it among the club's members. Many of them attended, not realising who had arranged it.

The breakaway group is now trying to operate under the same name as the original club and its founders are demanding access to the original group's bank accounts and records.

Shaun Miller, club secretary of RAS, said: "There were no nominations or resignations from committee members at our last annual general meeting, so the committee was automatically re-elected.

"At that time, we had suspended two men for being disruptive and they were unhappy with the re-election. They said we were acting illegally.

"The men decided to form their own committee and it was at this point that we decided to expel them from the club. We have since expelled another seven people who are involved with their committee."

The original group has contacted lawyers and the sport's governing body, the National Federation of Anglers, for legal advice.

Both found that RAS was acting legally and within its constitution when the committee was re-elected.

RAS has paid £200 to trademark the club's name and badge to make sure no-one else can use it, and placed posters in tackle shops in the area to warn members about what is happening.

Mr Miller said: "Everyone should just enjoy going fishing and we can't let them carry on doing this within the club. They are trying to undermine all the hard work we have done over the years.

"The other group don't have all the experience that we have and they haven't been approved to work with children. There are 480 people in the club, so this is just a very small minority.

"Everyone on our committee is totally against this. We put a lot of effort into this club and feel disgusted that other people can come along and do this.

"Our members know what is going on and many have said they will never buy a Radcliffe fishing card again if this group take over. We are carrying on as if this hasn't happened."