ANGLERS have been banned from fishing at a lake following residents' complaints over late night disturbances.

"No Fishing" signs have been put up at a lake opposite homes in the Butterwick Fields estate, off Crown Lane, Horwich.

Residents said late night anglers were pitching tents on the banks of the lake.

They complained to the police about the disturbance this caused in the middle of the night and a meeting was held with the land owner Barratt Homes in September.

Now Barratts have put up three "no fishing signs in a bid to curb the problem.

Police Community Support Officer Rob Wood said today: "It seems to have worked because I have stopped receiving complaints from residents. But the real test will come next summer when the weather improves and when the kids are off school."

The developer pledged to put up the "no fishing" notices and is also considering installing gates.

The estate was built around the secluded wildlife haven and lake, known as Star Lodge, in 2000 after the Horwich textile firm Star Vale shut down.

Wildlife campaigners, worried about the environmental effects of losing the lodge, set up a fighting forum called Friends of Star Lodge, which is still involved in the lands conservation.

But residents have complained that the area is now residential and should not be a local fishing spot.

One resident said that on one occasion during the summer as many as four tents had been pitched up close to the front of his house for four nights.

He said: "It's a problem. Some of them are genuine fishermen and far be it from me to spoil their enjoyment. But this is a residential area and some of them just use it as an excuse to meet and have a party."

He added: "The problem does seem to have stopped for now but that could have more to do with the cold weather than the no fishing signs."

A spokesman for Barratt said there were no official fishing restrictions on the site at the moment.