THREE teenage boys from County Durham, who were introduced to angling only two years ago but are now allrounders, are able to fish

competently in all three main branches of the sport, will be among the star demonstrators at this year's Chatsworth Angling Fair to be held

over the weekend of May 18 and 19.

Other youthful demonstrators will include: 12-year-old Alex Jardine, the

skilful son of popular angling artist

author Charles Jardine, appearing with him in a fatherandson

fly casting performance; and the former England Youth captain, Jonathan Tomlinson, still only 20, who will exchange reservoir and sea trout fishing displays with famed angler and instructor Gary Coxon.

In addition, the fly tying marquee will have a special section to show young people how to embark on fly dressing and to give advice about

any difficulties encountered by those who have already started. Both the tuition and the necessary materials will be provided free of charge.

Admission to the show won't cost them much: children aged 14 and under are allowed in free if accompanied by an adult. Car parking is also free. In addition, adults can get £1 off the normal £7 entrance fee if they apply for tickets

before May 5. (Applications, with sae and cheques made out to "Chatsworth Angling Fair",

should be sent to: Andrew Cuthbert. The Ford House, Binham, Fakenham, Norfolk NR2 ODJ.)

Among the big name demonstrators

will be: four times world champion Bob Nudd (pole fishing); exworld

match champion lan Heaps, in company with Ray Baker (waggler fishing); Chris Ball (carp); and Barrie Rickards (pike).

In response to widespread demand, the fair also sees the return of Henrik Mortensen, originally from Denmark, whose unusual underhand casting technique was regarded as the hit of the show by many spectators at Chatsworth in May 2000.

The three County Durham boys demonstrating at the fair are: Wayne Collins, 14, John Soulsby, 15, and Andrew Appleby, 17. Wayne, from Bishop Auckland, attends Bishop Barrington School; John goes to Tanfield Lea school in Stanley; and Andrew is now a trainee chef, while also working to qualify as a Salmon & Trout Association (STANIC) instructor in August, after which he aims to become an angling guide and coach.

All three were taught under PC Mick Watson's awardwinning "Get Hooked

on Fishing" scheme, set up in April 2000 to help reduce crime and antisocial behaviour by introducing young people to angling and giving them a chance to take up the sport free of charge.

Wayne, John and Andrew are all in their second year with the scheme and are already teaching other young anglers. At Chatsworth, their demonstrations will be based on the ability they have acquired in all main branches of the sport coarse, game

and sea angling enabling them to go

out and catch fish in every season throughout the year.

Surf casting

This year's fair, open from 0800 to 1830 each day, is returning to a larger site in the Chatsworth estate's Old Deer Park, 400 yards south of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire's stately home. Its first move to this location, two years ago, permitted the introduction of surf casting both

displays and tuition. Recordholders

from the UK Surfcasting Federation, able to cast up to 300 yards, will again be appearing this May. The demonstrators will include internationals from the England casting team, led by manager Dennis Retter. The tuition on offer is not only intended for sea anglers but also aims to help coarse fishermen gain a valuable few extra yards in their casting.