A THREATENED council tax rebellion among people living by Bridgwater Docks has been defused - with a little help from the Mercury.

Waterside neighbours at Admirals Wharf contacted the Mercury to describe how their lives are being made a misery by the anti-social behaviour of illegal fishermen at the docks - who camp in tents outside the flats overnight.

Residents started a petition to stop paying their council tax, after Sedgemoor District Council, Somerset County Council and British Waterways initially all denied responsibility for enforcing fishing rights to stop the activity.

But, after intervention from the Mercury, Somerset County Council held its hands up - and agreed to take action.

Dennis Washer, from Grenville Court next to the docks, told the Mercury: “We wanted the body that owns the fishing rights to put up 'no fishing' signs along the docks and also enforce the notices.

“At the moment people camp here at night and make quite a bit of noise.

“Everyone is really, really fed-up - all we want is a bit of help.”

Another resident, who did not want to be named, added: “The level of bad behaviour has gone up and is affecting the quality of our lives.”

When contacted by the Mercury, both Sedgemoor District Council and British Waterways stressed that the fishing rights lay with the county council.

Somerset County Council then admitted it was responsible and vowed to take action against the illegal fishermen. A spokesman said: “From this week there will be signs saying 'no fishing'.

“We are also in discussions with the police over enforcing the notices and seeing if Bridgwater Angling Association can warden the area.”