THE River Stour at Sandwich is becoming a death trap because of jet skiers who are terrorising wildlife and putting lives at risk.

Harbour Master Colin Carr fears a fatal accident is waiting to happen because of the dangerous actions of the speeding skiers.

Mr Carr, who also runs the Sandwich River Bus, said: "It is not a case of if a serious accident will happen, it is a matter of when. I am terrified of meeting a jet skier coming in the opposite direction when I am taking out the river bus."

Mr Carr added that on Good Friday he was confronted by 11 jet skiers, who were charging up and down the river.

"They frightened off a group of seals, who regularly use the waters for nursing their pups."

Mr Carr said there is a by-law banning this sort of activity on the river and he has reported the incident to the marine unit at Kent Police.

A spokesman for the unit said: "We are aware of the problem and will be paying visits to the area over the coming weeks, both by land patrol and boat patrol. If anyone is caught contravening the local speed limits and by-laws in that area they will be prosecuted."

Mr Carr said: "Our message to the jet skiers is to stay away from the tranquil and sheltered waters of Sandwich. There are plenty of other places for them to go."

He added that as well as police patrols they are hoping CCTV footage, supplied by the security department at Pfizer, could be used to catch offenders.

"The security team has said they will pass on any information they collect on their cameras, which cover about half a mile of the river," Carr said.