SAMMY the North Yorkshire seal is still soaking up the sun at his adoptive home, despite the fact that anglers have descended on "his" territory.

The seal, which swam up the River Ouse from the Humber estuary in February, could be in danger from hooks and bait at his new "home" at Linton Lock, near York, now that the fishing season is under way.

The lock is a popular angling pitch, as it provides a natural basin and is usually rich in salmon and trout.

But Ian Fuller, who runs the lock's leisure complex, says Sammy seems to be toughing it out.

"We've had quite a few anglers here in the last two days, but we've still seen him about," said Ian.

"It doesn't look like he's going to move on."

He said one angler told him his line had broken after "something very strong" tugged at it from beneath the water. Sammy was seen in the water later that day.

A plan to rescue Sammy and take him back to the sea was abandoned after sea life experts and the RSPCA concluded there was no safe way to trap him.

They have gone back to the drawing board, and say they will continue to try to think of ways to retrieve him.

Meanwhile, his presence has angered many angling clubs, who fear he will consume the river's supply of salmon, trout and pike.

Ian said: "Obviously, I'm concerned for him and for the anglers, but it looks like they can live in harmony at the moment."

Updated: 11:57 Wednesday, June 19, 2002