In pictures: Fishing opened in River Dee

Comedia Paul Whitehouse formally opened the salmon season on the River Dee.

The Harry Enfield star was at the official opening ceremony on the riverbank by Potarch Bridge.

It came as Grampian Police announced a new initiative to raise awareness of the potential impact of wildlife crime on the region’s waterways.

It will see river crime warning and information boards at nine major salmon fishing rivers.

PC Gavin Lindsay, the force’s wildlife crime officer, said: “Grampian’s salmon rivers are a huge asset to the region, contributing millions to the economy and providing important habitat for a variety of wildlife.

“However river crime - in particular the poaching of salmon - can have both a serious environmental and economic effect on the river and wider community.”