FISHING will be made easier for the young and disabled thanks to a Lottery grant of almost £25,000.

New Shildon Angling Club was celebrating this week after a cheque for £24,697 was presented by the Sport England Lottery Fund.

The club's assistant secretary, Eph Bunting, said the club was delighted.

"We are ecstatic to say the least. The efforts put in by the members have been well worthwhile," he said.

The club has its own website, set up thanks to The Northern Echo's Communigate scheme.

Mr Bunting said: "It is getting us better known in the area and it has improved our communication no end.''

The money will be spent on the construction of two new lakes at the Eden Grange Fishery, in Shildon.

At the moment, the club's facilities consist of two small fishing pools, but once the lakes have been created there will be permanent platforms for the disabled, and dedicated coaching areas for newcomers.

An environmental project attracting wildlife will enable pupils to learn about creatures by watching them.

The grant application has been supported by various organisations, including Shildon Town Council, which owns the land where the ponds are, the town's community partnership and Sedgefield Borough Council youth development officer Andy Coulthard.

Town council clerk Tom Toward said: "It has taken five years to get here and the club has put a lot of hard work in.''

Regional director of Sport England, Judith Rasmussen, who presented the money, said: "Credit must go to the officers of the club who have put in a great deal of time and effort on the application."