ANGLERS and conservationists are joining together to improve the River Leven from Hutton Rudby towards Crathorne.

Hutton Rudby Fly-Fishing Club has purchased two miles of riverbank at the cost of £20,000 and is embarking on a scheme of environmental work.

The club says this will bring significant fishing and environmental benefits to the area. Working with the Environment Agency, it is clearing out overgrown trees to improve sunlight and insect life at the river. Additionally, it is keen to widen local participation in angling.

The purchase comes after two years of negotiations and fund aising activities. Lottery and local authority grants have been obtained, and individual anglers, residents and landowners have given significantly.

A thick canopy of tree foliage is blocking sunlight from lengthy stretches the river and work has begun to clear it, thus encouraging insect life and fish.

Further downstream toward Crathorne, the Environment Agency is to remove excess gravel beds and fallen trees, repair eroded banks and improve the flow of water in slow-moving sections.

Committee member Peter Holmstrom, of Linden Close, said: "This acquisition means Hutton Rudby has a major asset for the future. We have bought 2 miles of good trout fishing water. Once we've sorted out some of the trees and vegetation, it'll be a lovely river. Residents and the environment will benefit.

"The club has bought a stretch of land on the north bank from Skutterskelfe Anglers' Association. It has been very co-operative. This deal means anglers can enjoy fishing from Goulton Beck (known locally as the water splash) westward towards Crathorne."

Landowner, David Bell, of Linden Grange, is continuing to offer a generous peppercorn rent for access to the southern bank.

"Until recently, we rented the northern bank from the Skutterskelfe association. But two years ago, we suggested that we should buy it. We jointly arranged a valuation and Hutton Rudby was then able to get grants for 30pc of the total cost," Mr Holmstrom added.

Donations have come from the National Lottery, Brunton Trust, and Hambleton District Council, for which the club is very grateful. Members and supporters have raised the rest.

Life membership of the club has been taken up by some, while subscriptions and donations have added to the total.

"It's a super situation. Now that we've purchased the land, we can concentrate on using donations to improve the environment," he said.

Speaking about proposed enhancements, he explained: "We've had a visit from the Environment Agency, which hopes to improve the lower stretches towards Crathorne. We hope that will be done before the end of the year.

"Our own members have formed working parties to remove overhanging trees and vegetation. Some stretches are really dark and inaccessible."

The club was formed in the Twenties and had kept the Leven stocked with trout. Up to 500 trout were put in annually, during May and July. The club usually bought fish measuring nine-13 inches from a Pickering fishery, but members were keen to introduce larger and smaller fish.

Anglers also wanted to attract more people and the club's pricing system reflected this, he believed. Visitors were welcome but reduced fees were designed to encourage local people and junior members.

"People are really excited about this," he emphasised.

Mr Holmstrom especially thanked committee member Mark Jones, secretary John Gifford, former chairman Peter Johnson, of Rudby, and treasurer Barry Milburn for their hard work.

Mr Milburn's late grandfather, Tom, was a founding member of the club, which included many soldiers who served in the First World War. He was secretary for many years