ANGLERS are being invited to an event to discuss improving fishing on their river.

A one-day workshop is to be held next month to help develop an action plan to improve the future of angling on the River Wear.

The Environment Agency and newly-established Wear Rivers Trust have organised the event to take place at the Lindisfarne Centre, in St Aidan’s College, Durham City on Saturday, February 6 from 9.30am to 2pm.

Paul Frear, fisheries officer with the Environment Agency, said: "Historically on the River Wear there has been an ‘us and them’ attitude between coarse and game anglers, and this has often led to division amongst the angling community. However this attitude is starting to change.

"There is now a ground-swell of opinion that old preconceptions about coarse and game are outdated and in need of a change.

"The Wear is largely unaffected by development and the river corridor contains rich riparian habitat, compared to many other rivers in the UK.

"This workshop is a unique opportunity for both coarse and salmon anglers to come together for the future benefit of the entire River Wear fishery."

Organisers hope to develop a plan to help angling clubs improve access to the river and the quality of the fishing on the river.

Peter Stephenson from the Wear Rivers Trust said: "Not only are we expecting this to be a well attended event, but we expect some excellent outcomes from what should be an interesting and lively debate."

For further details or to book a place at the workshop, please contact Paul Frear on 0191 203 4321 by January 31.