Fishing will be brought back to a town's pier.

Angling at Admiralty Pier, Dover, had been banned over the last few years for reasons such as the pandemic.

But landowners the Port of Dover now announce it will be brought back within a few months.

The exact date is to be confirmed and the return is also for the pier's disabled fishing area.

The breakthrough comes after a successful trial day last October and further talks between the authority, Dover Sea Angling Association and the the sport's governing body the Angling Trust.

Doug Bannister, chief executive of the Port of Dover, said: “It has been a complex process and one that needed to satisfactorily address the Port’s genuine heightened security needs.

"All parties have engaged in this process in the true spirit of cooperation and understanding, which has enabled us to find a solution that works for everyone. I’m truly delighted we have been able to do so and thank all those who have helped make it happen,”

Richard Yates, Chairman of the DSAA, said: “We are delighted with the agreement.

"We would like to say a huge thank you to the Port for working hard and in good faith to find a solution that meets their security and safety needs and allows angling to continue for the people of Dover and other areas.

"Angling has bought huge benefits to the people of Dover for hundreds of years and it’s nice to see that the Port appreciates how important it is to the community and put such effort into finding a way forward.

" We would also like to thank the Angling Trust, which has been a massive help in the discussions along with the hundreds of anglers who have given their support."

The pier originally closed to anglers in October 2018 for repair work, then remained closed because the pandemic struck in March 2020 and then due to safety and security concerns.

Stuart Singleton-White, head of campaigns at the Angling Trust, said: “The angling community has been deeply concerned that new security requirements would result in fishing not being able to return to such an iconic venue.

" Having contacted the Harbour Board to discuss the situation, I’m delighted they genuinely and positively engaged, were open to suggestions, and worked so constructively over a long period of time to help find a solution that worked for everyone.”

The pier had been used for angling over the last century and a protest petition was raised last year to reopen it.

Full details of the reopening are expected to appear on the DSAA's Facebook page in the next few days.