A FREE fishing event will give youngsters the chance to try angling and see if they get hooked.

Wear River Trust has teamed up with Frosterley Angling Club to organise a family event at Harehope Quarry near Frosterley, in Weardale, on Saturday, July 26, from 10am to 3pm.

Coaching sessions will run throughout the day, starting at 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2pm, and attendees can register for a session when they arrive.

There will be river dipping sessions to discover what lives in Bollihope Burn and visitors can explore the restored quarry which has a lake, fossil trail, bird hide and a circular wildlife walk.

Light refreshments will be available.

The Angling Trust will provide three coaches to help young people try float fishing and fly fishing and give guidance on angling safety, setting up a rod and casting, catching and unhooking.

Angling clubs across County Durham and the Wear Rivers Trust hope to engage more young people in the sport of angling and encourage them to take an interest in their water environment.

Frosterley Angling Club’s secretary, Peter Elsbury, said: “Angling provides an active outside interest which leads to an appreciation of the environment both now and for years to come.”

A similar event will be held at Whitworth Hall Country Park fair on Saturday, August 23, in association with Ferryhill and District Angling Club.

Clubs are also working with the Wear River Trust and Wild Trout Trust to manage habitat along their stretches of river.