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A Labour council that banned fishing so they could turn a lake into a "biodiversity hub" has finally flip-flopped on its decision after a campaign backed by the Daily Express. In a major win for local anglers, the Wingerworth Lido in North East Derbyshire will be returned to locals after months of haggling with town hall officials.

Clay Cross Angling Association has now signed a lease to take back management of the site, ending a bitter fight against North East Derbyshire District Council's "bizarre" decision to ban the activity. Local authority officials insisted at the time that they had not banned fishing, instead stating they had withdrawn permission for people to fish in the lido - which campaigners said was the same things as a ban.

Mo Metcalf-Fisher, director of external affairs at the Countryside Alliance, said: "We are pleased that at long last a new angling lease has been signed for the Wingerworth Lido. We must, however, ensure fishing exists at the lido for the long term."

Mr Metcalf-Fisher thanked this paper, adding: "A massive thank you to local anglers, the Daily Express and supportive councillors for standing firm."

Mr Metcalf-Fisher said: "North East Derbyshire District Council's bizarre decision to ban the activity was an appalling error of judgment, made worse by their refusal to admit the extreme error of their ways despite huge public protest."

He added: "The decision was bad for the environment, biodiversity and the local community. We had no choice but to fight back hard and the Countryside Alliance is proud to have played its part in standing up for local anglers."

Mr Metcalf-Fisher warned: "The sorry saga does serve as a warning to anglers elsewhere to always keep an eye on your local council. It is vital to challenge decisions like this early on."

Angling influencer James "Big Duffs Fishing" said: "Angling is an incredibly important activity with a raft of benefits, not least for biodiversity and mental health. Councils should be encouraging it, not banning it."

He added: "This lido is incredibly important to me and I am pleased we have secured a licence to resume fishing. It's sad we had to have such a fight over this, but in doing so, we formed a strong unit of passionate anglers that will fight for the activity here in Wingerworth, Derbyshire and elsewhere."

Big Duffs warned: "Be in no doubt that if you ban angling, you will get a fight."

Local councillors Ross Shipman and David Hancock said: "After months of fighting against what many of us knew was a flawed process and a clear injustice, common sense has finally prevailed."

They added: "This means the club can now work hand in hand with partners and the community to improve the local environment and restore the proud tradition of angling at the Lido - a practice that has been part of the area since the 1940s."

Dominic Webb, local businessman and Chief Executive of the Bigger Fish, said: "Today's news is a cautionary reminder to all anglers in the UK that local authorities can remove access to angling based on no more than vexatious allegations against anglers."