'Children running riot and careless fishermen are damaging wildlife'

Young yobs “running riot” and careless fishermen have been slammed over claims they are wrecking a South Tyneside wildlife sanctuary.

- by Tom Patterson

Distraught volunteers say a female swan survived after emergency treatment for a wound caused by a ball bearing at Fellgate Ponds at Jarrow in recent weeks.

They also claim two dead ducklings may have been hit by air rifle pellets fired by youngsters at the site-close to the Lakeside pub, off the A194 Leam Lane.

Two cygnets are said to have been euthanised after swallowing discarded fishing hooks, fires have been started, fences damaged and litter discarded.

Site watchers have now called for parents to rein in their youngsters and for fishermen to act more responsibly.

Volunteer Dianne Hunter, 60, and Anna Malia, who runs the North East Animal Rights group, have joined forces in calling for action.

Dianne said: “It’s by no means every fisherman that is causing problems.