A BATTLE over two unauthorised fences that are blocking views of the River Test reaches its climax today.

A planning inquiry due to take place at Totton Civic Centre will decide if the controversial barriers at Salmon Leap should be torn down.

They were built by river keeper Graham Purbrick he says to protect his wife and two children from gangs of local yobs.

Mr Purbrick has the support of top celebrity chef and keen angler Marco Pierre White. Marco Pierre was enjoying a day's fishing at Salmon Leap when yobs on the bridge created a disturbance:

He said: "I just could not take the aggravation. There were people jumping off the bridge, hurling cans, swearing and throwing stones. I love the fishing but I leave London to have some tranquillity on the Test. There is no point in coming down to hear shouting and swearing. I will never fish there again if the fences are taken down."

The fences went up when rowdy teenagers started gathering on a bridge over the river and hurling objects at Mr Purbrick's isolated cottage. He says they shouted abuse at his family, threatened them with physical violence and damaged their property.

He raised the height of the existing fences on the bridge in a move that was backed by his employers, Testwood Salmon Fisheries.

A TSF spokesman said: "Over the past few years youths congregating on the bridge have threatened Graham with physical violence and vandalised his home.

"Something had to be done to protect Graham and his family."

However, the fences angered walkers, who said the 6ft barriers had obliterated lovely views that local ramblers and artists had enjoyed for centuries.

Planning officers at New Forest District Council were inundated with complaints.

They included a protest from New Forest East MP Julian Lewis, who said: "One of the prettiest spots in the town has been spoiled."

Tory councillor Di Brooks described the fences as "sacrilege" when she raised the issue at a meeting of Totton and Eling Town Council.

Liberal Democrat member David Harrison said: "The view was probably the most scenic one in Totton. When I went down there the reaction to the fences was one of shock and horror."

The district council ordered Mr Purbrick to demolish the fences. It is his appeal that's being heard at today's inquiry.