PUPILS at two different schools are being introduced to fishing on the River Ribble thanks to a charity campaign.

The Introduction to Fishing events, which was planned and part funded by the Hodder Consultative, which represents various fishing clubs, in partnership with the Ribble Rivers Trust, involve St Mary's Chipping RC Primary School and Brennand's Endowed Primary School in Clitheroe.

Together, pupils from the two schools will learn about water safety, wildlife, and conservation with fishing sessions on Bashall Brook, near Waddington, before moving on to the Rivers Hodder and Ribble.

Education officer and lead angling coach Neil Ashworth said: "It’s great to see angling clubs engaging with younger people to promote the wonderful sport of fishing.

"More than ever, during this terrible pandemic, the benefits to people of going into the countryside, near to running water, observing wildlife close up and becoming absorbed in a challenge with wild creatures has never been so well documented.

"I look forward to working with the Hodder Consultative and the local schools."

The Introduction to Fishing project meanwhile, was planned by the Hodder Consultative who realised that membership numbers in their fishing clubs were dropping, so decided to promote angling to younger people and recruit younger members and as such decided to partner with the Ribble Rivers Trust.

As well as fishing on the day, the children will take part in, brash bundling, a practical river restoration activity which involves repairing eroded riverbanks with natural materials that encourage bank side vegetation to propagate and protect the banking from further erosion.

The trust hopes that many of the children and their parents will go on to develop longstanding interests in angling.

This comes as part of the Ribble Rivers Trust work with businesses across Lancashire to help educate and engage with the people that live, work, and spend time on the county's green spaces.

The Trust also works with fishing clubs across Lancashire since anglers often act as first responders to any issues with the rivers and report any issues that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.

To get involved with the Ribble Rivers Trust's work, email charlotte@ribbletrust.com.