A FISHING net which almost killed a diver four months ago has been cleared up by Plymouth Sound Diving Club.

Seven members of the club dived to the seabed off West Hoe on Friday evening before bringing the net to the surface.

The net had been highlighted as a threat to human and marine life. It was discovered in January, but its removal was delayed by confusion over which agency was responsible for doing the work.

Diving club chairman Keith Hiscock said the operation had to be carried out for the safety of divers in the area.

"They went down and cut the net into liftable sections before putting a lifting bag on each section, and then they sent them up," he said. " We then hauled each section into the boat."

The illegal net was set near a green buoy opposite the Waterfront pub and restaurant.

Mr Hiscock said the Environment Agency had a presence at Friday's dive.

The agency last week said it had attempted to remove the net in one piece but had been unable to do so without the use of heavy hauling equipment.

Mr Hiscock said the net was about 30ft long and "filled the back of the boat".

It contained a dead seal, which was putrefying, and the skeleton of a cormorant.

He said: "Our club will work out what to do with it in the coming days.

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Ghost net in Plymouth Sound

"Divers should still be cautious when they're diving at West Hoe in case of any pieces of net still down there."

Mr Hiscock said that, apart from clearing the "safety issue" of the net, litter was also cleaned up by the divers.

He added that glass bottles, cans, traffic cones and even a diver's knife had been found on the seabed.

It is an offence to trawl or use fishing nets within Plymouth Sound, with fines of up to £1,000 for anyone caught doing so.