Anglers using Shaldon Bridge could soon find themselves landing a £500 fine if they ignore a ban being considered by the local authorities.

Councils in Teignmouth and Shaldon want to put a stop to fishermen using the River Teign crossing after concerns that both bridge and river users were at risk.

District councillors were told on Monday that pedestrians faced danger from hooks and discarded tackle and that motorcyclists and drivers had crashed when avoiding anglers' rods.

Boat passengers, including former Teignmouth mayor Cllr Geoff Bladon, had been hooked while passing underneath.

There were also worries that nets being lowered from the bridge were used illegally to catch immature bass.

A working party set up in January has considered the problems and concluded that a complete ban is the answer.

Physical barriers to prevent anglers casting have been ruled out on grounds of cost, appearance and effectiveness.

Now Teignbridge Council has responded by saying its head of legal services, Simon Barnes, will draft a bylaw.

If adopted, those breaking the new rule would be guilty of a criminal offence and liable for a fine of up to £500.

Police have said they would be willing to enforce the measure.

The matter sparked plenty of debate among district councillors.

Cllr Sylvia Russell said the plan needed 'far more bones in it' before a decision could be made and that the Harbour Commission should be asked for its views.

Cllr Terry Falcao, who had sat on the working party, said the commissioners had been canvassed and responded by saying it was nothing to do with them.

According to Cllr Humphrey Clemens, a ban was 'the nanny state gone mad' and that there were more people against it than for it.

The debate rumbled around the chamber for some time but at the vote the overwhelming decision was to have the bylaw drafted and the matter brought back before full council in due course.

Former Dawlish mayor Cllr Rosalind Prowse quipped that the matter had been given more time than an earlier debate about measures to tackle the credit crunch.