Dewsbury Junior Angling Club gives kids the chance to learn how to fish and runs regular sessions at local ponds.

The club was founded last summer by Dewsbury and District Angling Association's former secretary Trevor Facer and club member Mark Ward.

Earlier this year it netted almost £5,000 from Dewsbury Area Committee to buy extra fishing equipment and send two more volunteers to train as instructors.

Mark said: "It started off with just a few kids and there's about 20 now. It's hard to attract new members over the winter but now we're full-time we can get more people involved."

The club meets every Thursday evening at Chickenley Community Centre and most weekends at ponds owned by Dewsbury and District Angling Association.

Mark said: "We have a free rein of the pond in Owl Lane at weekends. Some of the members come down and help out. We've got a few parents who have got in to fishing too, which is good because they're taking the kids out over holidays when we can't always take them."

The junior anglers are working toward the National Federation of Angling Kingfisher Award, which covers safety and the environment.

Mark said: "They enjoy the Thursday night sessions but it's the fishing they enjoy the most."

Club committee member Robert Swift, 14, who joined nine months ago, said: "My mates started fishing and I wanted to join because it's something to do on a Saturday. It's the fishing I really enjoy and getting to make new friends. It's exciting when you catch a fish and reel it in."

Fellow committee member Georgia Hirst, 11, said: "I used to go fishing with my uncle Alan. It's fun and it's better than sitting at home."

The club is planning full days of fishing during the summer holidays, including a trip to Wakefield for West Yorkshire Police's 16th annual fishing competition.

To find out more about joining the junior club phone Trevor Facer on 07979 375773 or e-mail markward345@hotmail.com.