A children's fishing contest has been targeted by animal rights activists.

Organisers of the event last night called for police protection at the river bank following a string of threats from a protest group.

The internet-based Keep On Fighting is encouraging its supporters to disrupt this morning's annual event on Passies Ponds in Coombes, near Lancing, in order to "stop a new generation of blood sport enthusiasts".

People claiming to be from the group have made threatening phone calls to the Environment Agency and Adur District Council.

Both organisations help run the event, which gives youngsters the chance to try coarse fishing for free, and are so concerned about what the activists might do they contacted police to ask for protection.

Passies Ponds owner Trevor Price, 53, branded Keep On Fighting's actions "immoral". He said: "I can't believe they are targeting innocent kids who just want to get into the countryside and see if they enjoy the sport.

"I suppose these animal rights people would prefer them just to sit at home all day in front of their computers."

The event has taken place annually for nine years and has helped hundreds of youngsters become interested in fishing.

Mr Price said: "A lot of people are giving up time and money for the sake of the kids because they feel it is worth it. I think these activists are being totally immoral.

An article on the Keep On Fighting web site claims fishing leads to "untold misery and suffering to not just fish but other species of British wildlife such as birds and mammals".

Mr Price rejected any charges that the sport was cruel.

He said: "Fishing has been around for thousands of years. In this day and age things have got better and we insist on barb-less hooks and specially designed nets that damage the fish as little as possible.

"Every single fish is returned to the water as well.

"These activists should leave us alone as this will get children off the street and doing something with their time."