MAJOR plans which would dramatically change the character of the world famous River Hamble should be scuppered.

That was the overwhelming view as villagers, boat owners and people who make their living in the sailing mecca, issued a resounding "hands off our river" warning to Hampshire County Council.

It has unveiled proposals, backed by The Crown Estate, which if given the go-ahead would mean that craft would no longer be able to put down anchor in the middle of the river.

Additional land-based moorings would be created in the current marinas and boatyards.

The move has been met with a storm of protest and at a public meeting, called by the Hamble Parish Council, the unanimous vote was for rejecting in principle the proposals and to leave the river as it was.

Mr Colin Brookes, 58, of Warsash, who has a mooring in the middle of the river, spoke of his passion for the river and the need to preserve its character.

With sailing links with the Hamble stretching back 50 years he said: "I do not want to be herded into a marina."

Mr John Mitchell, of the River Hamble Mooring Holders' Association, said that Hamble was one of the safest rivers on the south coast.

By taking moorings away from the middle he feared that it would encourage speeding and make it a dangerous place.

Another villager said that having the yachts in the middle made the river looking attractive, particularly at sunset.

There were also concerns about the impact on the environment and the river banks if more boats became shore-based.

But the meeting was told that if the controversial plans were given the go ahead they would not happen overnight.

Assistant county planning officer Mr Merrick Denton-Thompson explained that it was very early days.

Even if everything went smoothly the plan would unlikely to be completed within 15 years. He said at this stage they were keen to get all views and they did not want to price people out of the water.