THE Environment Agency has launched a scheme to find out more about fish stocks in rivers while attracting youngsters to the fishing.

Officials have joined forces with angling clubs in North Yorkshire to find out how much stock there is in the county's rivers.

The scheme was launched after the agency noticed a marked decline in fish numbers taken from the results of angling matches in the area.

But Environment Agency officials want more clubs to send them their match results so they can draw up a more detailed chart of what types and amount of fish are living in North Yorkshire rivers.

The agency is hoping that by giving a financial reward to the junior section of each club that submits its match results, more teams will be encouraged to send them their results.

Paul Frear, Environment Agency fishery scientist, said: "The information from match returns is a very useful tool in describing fish populations and highlighting locations where there are problems."

For more information about the scheme and funding, call (01904) 692296.