BAIT diggers at a Southampton beauty spot are today accused of endangering wildlife.

Ray Langdon, chairman of Itchen Waterfront Association (IWA), says city council chiefs must clamp down on fishermen's quest for bait from Chessel Bay, on the eastern bank of the Itchen south of Northam Bridge, which is cutting off the food supply for many indigenous creatures.

Mr Langdon, of Despasian Road, Bitterne Manor, Southampton, also thinks council bosses should employ a full-time warden to patrol the Bay - designated by the council as Southampton's first local nature reserve in 1989.

Ray, one of more than 500 IWA members, said: "It would probably only cost around £8,000 a year to employ a full-time warden to patrol the bay. The cost would be more than justified as it would ensure more birds and other animals would remain and multiply. It would also have a significant impact on pollution.

"Excessive bait diggers must be stopped. If I was to go and start digging up Southampton Common the council would soon take legal action against me. So why don't they enforce the law against those digging up Chessel Bay? Both sites are council owned so why the double standard?

"We have some important people in the association who are passionate about the environment and local wildlife. If the council think we will stay quiet I've got news for them - we won't!"

Chessel Bay has been labelled a Site of Special Scientific Interest by the European Parliament, giving it protected status. Campaigners believe this adds to the need for greater focus on the area.

Among wildlife commonly found at the Bay are birds such as the kingfisher, the curlew, the dunlin and other creatures like the common shore crab.

Local ecology group, Peartree 21, have previously staged voluntary litter patrols in the area which often attract more than 50 people over the course of a weekend.

Executive member for environment and transport, Councillor Richard Williams said: "We currently investigating ways to ensure this does not become detrimental to the variety of bird life which migrates to the area.

"There is a history of bait digging in the Itchen. We are concerned that intensification of digging due to commercial activity may be harmful.

"Together with English Nature, who is also responsible for maintaining the site, we are looking at ways to deter people from excessive digging."