ONCE a haunt for drug addicts, the pond near a former North-East pit village was littered with bottles, wrecked cars and old mattresses.

But thanks to the vision of a group of passionate anglers the site at 14-acre site at Wheatley Hill, in east Durham, has been transformed over the past three years into a haven for anglers and nature lovers.

What used to be a magnet for anti-social behaviour now attracts hundreds of young people each year – keeping them off the streets and giving them the opportunity to enjoy a new sport.

For their efforts, the committee running the Wheatley Hill Angling Club was last week given a Volunteer Group of the Year award at the County Durham Environmental Awards.

Secretary Jonathan Naisbett said: “We are delighted. It’s a pat on the back for us all. “Until three years ago there was nothing here but a pond and no proper fishing platforms. It was a drugs den.

“They came here because it was out of the way and treated it like a sewer. Vulnerable people and families just wouldn’t come here.

“We formed a new committee with Alan Hall as chairman in 2009 and had a vision to clean it up and give it back to the community – and realise its full potential."

Volunteers cleared the pond and created a 500m walkway fully accessible to wheelchairs to 26 fishing platforms.

With the help from local councillor Brian Wilson, they obtained funding to create an education room.

Mr Naisbett, a Sport England qualified coarse angling coach said: “Young people had not been welcome before we came to the club. We started a registered programme for the kids and it has just taken off. Every session we have a dozen young people attending – whatever the weather.

“The young people have ownership of this place now.” Mr Hall said: “It keeps them off the street and gives them something constructive to do.

“Some do not have the money for the kits – so they can make use of five rigs we have bought with cash from Councillor Wilson’s area action partnership funding.”

Treasurer Bill Pearson oversees the club’s child protection policy while Eric Holdcroft is responsible for maintenance. The club stocks 160,000 fish, including large carp, tench, bream, roach and barbel.

The club, which has about 120 senior members, ten disabled members and 60 juniors, has become a victim of its own success and the committee is planning to dig another pond. For more information, call Mr Naisbett on 07514-022069.