Ian Woods, Managing Director of Game Fishing Supplies, Morpeth, has been elected first chairman of the newly formed Northumberland County Angling Action Group.

The group, set up to develop and encourage game, coarse and sea angling throughout Northumberland, also elected Nick Wood of Higham Lakes, Ponteland, as vice chairman, Vickie Bell, also of Game Fishing Supplies, as treasurer, and Ben Thompson, North East Development Officer of the Angling Development Board as secretary.

The well attended meeting at the Concordia Centre, Cramlington, was told that there six potential schools/angling clubs link programmes in the pipeline that could create up to 72 new junior members and that, with a Level 1 coaching course costing £212.75, funding had been secured for coaching courses in all three disciplines with £1,400 provided by Northumberland Sport and £3,207 from the Environment Agency.

With the cost of a Level 2 coaching course now £437 and bridging courses to allow coaches to upgrade from the former 1st4sport coaching qualification to the new United Kingdom Coaching Certificate costing £211, two-thirds funding had also been secured for 12 level two coaches and 30 bridging packs.

The meeting heard that although there were good numbers of game fishing coaches in the county, there was a serious deficiency in those teaching sea fishing and that priority, where possible, should be given to those seeking qualifications in sea angling.

Clubs and organisations were also encouraged to come up with ideas and organise events to support this years National Fishing "Week" that will run from July 17 to August 15.

The groups next meeting will be held on March 16.