Fishing is meant to return to a major pier this week - but it could be stopped by stormy weather.

Angling is scheduled to resume at Admiralty Pier in Dover on Friday after nearly four years.

But Dover Sea Angling Association has warned that could be scuppered, with the pier closing temporarily because of the forecast bad weather this weekend.

DSAA said in a Facebook post: "The pier will be open unless Dover Harbour Board close it due to adverse weather.

"As anglers we all know that the weather is out of our control, historically the weather has not closed the Admiralty for more than a handful of days each year so hopefully this will only be a minor issue.

"As things stand Friday, Saturday and Sunday are currently open however we will be surprised if all of the three days go ahead as the wind forecast is extreme.

"We will probably lose at least one day but we will know more on Thursday."

DSAA, which manages the pier, says if anglers have already booked tickets for the weekend, and the pier stays shut to them, they can use them after re-opening.

Angling has taken place since 1903, when DSAA was formed.

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

Nearly 4,000 signed a petition calling for the pier to be re-opened, citing the physical and mental health benefits of angling.

Then last month landowners the Port of Dover announced angling would return to the pier within months, with an exact date to be confirmed.

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

Anglers are delighted with news the pier is reopening.

Steve Goldsmith said: "I am very happy the pier is opening again, it means a lot to local people who have childhood memories fishing there.

"I didn't bother fishing when it was closed."

Danny Smith said: "I am happy as many others are.

"I have been fishing all over Kent, on beaches but the Admiralty is by far the best venue Kent has to offer."