MORE than 40 residents packed into a planning inquiry to decide if two illegal fences blocking spectacular views of the River Test should be torn down yesterday.

They flocked to the hearing at Totton Civic Centre in protest against the 6ft barriers at popular beauty spot Salmon Leap, pictured above.

River keeper Graham Purbrick, of Testwood Salmon Fisheries, says he raised the height of fences along both sides of a bridge to protect his family from gangs of yobs.

Residents are furious that the picture postcard views their families and visiting ramblers have enjoyed for centuries have been decimated.

Alex Shepherd, 69, of Hampton Gardens, said: "I have lived in Totton all my life. I have used the area two or three times a month from when I went to Testwood School. We cannot now see the salmon leap. My two boys used to collect sticks and drop them off the bridge and run to the other side to see them, that can't be done now."

Roger Hill, planning officer for Totton and Eling Town Council, said: "We are going to turn into fortress Britain. Surely the way to deal with antisocial behaviour is through the police, not by erecting fences."

Trouble at the bridge, close to Mr Purbrick's isolated cottage, escalated during summer months and on one occasion a gang member allegedly shot at his wife with an air rifle.

As a result Mr Purbrick added extra fence panels to safeguard his home, family and visiting fishermen last year.

New Forest District Council ordered Mr Purbrick to take them down and he appealed against their decision.

Neil March, an NFDC planning officer, said: "The bridge is a structure in its own right and the panels have altered its external appearance and therefore requires planning permission."

Andrew Burgess, speaking on behalf of Mr Purbrick, said: "The problem of this intrusive and obstructive behaviour is preventing people from fishing. If it continues the fishery will cease to exist.

"If the fishery ceases to exist, the view will cease to exist. It's all funded privately by people visiting the area. We can't put anglers in the position where they are going to be abused or threatened."

Mr Purbrick's employers at Testwood Salmon Fisheries and landlords Longdown Management are backing him.

Simon Barker, of Longdown Management, said the situation was so bad that a security firm is now called out to deal with groups of more than six people.

The result of Mr Purbrick's appeal is expected in four to six week's time.