THE country's leading river anglers achieved the best ever results when the English National Fly Fishing Championships was staged at a North-East river.

Thirty-two finalists netted more than 600 brown trout and grayling on the River Wear, between Witton Park, near Bishop Auckland, and Croxdale viaduct, near Durham. All the fish were measured and returned to the water.

John Tyzack, from Stockport, became champion for the third time, with 39 fish. Runner-up was Stuart Crofts, from Penistone, in Yorkshire.

Dave Parker, from Wallsend, and Simon Robinson, from Whickham, both Tyneside, won places in next year's national team with third and sixth places, although Howard Croston, from Tyne and Wear, narrowly missed out in seventh.

Paul Davison, from Ponteland, Northumberland, took the biggest fish, a 44cm brown trout caught downstream from Witton Park viaduct.

Peter Godfrey, from Bedlington, Northumberland, secretary of the Confederation of English Fly Fishers, said the success of the competition had placed Bishop Auckland Angling Club's new headquarters - the Wadsworth Angling and Conservation Centre - high on the list of national facilities. He said: "The fishing was cracking. From the practice sessions to the competition itself, it was excellent."

He said the competition could be back on the Wear next year and paid tribute to hosts Bishop Auckland, Willington and Ferryhill angling clubs.