A SCHOOLBOY fishing fan has landed a dream appearance at the world's largest angling fair next month.

Neil Soulsby, of Stanley, will demonstrate his skills alongside some of the country's best fisherman at the two-day Chatsworth Angling Fair, in Derbyshire.

The 12-year-old, a pupil at Tanfield Comprehensive, will appear alongside four times world champion Bob Nudd and world-record holding surf-casting champion Peter Thain.

Neil got involved in angling through the Get Hooked On Fishing scheme, launched five years ago by former Durham policeman Mick Watson.

Four youngsters, who have benefited from the scheme, will show off their skill and will offer advice.

Neil, who has already helped introduce more than 180 other youngsters to the sport through the scheme, is the youngest of four brothers to get involved in the project; elder brother Jon, now studying philosophy at Newcastle University, took part in the annual Chatsworth fair in 2002 and 2003.

Paul, now 17 and studying at Sixth Form College in Durham, followed suit at the show last year; and third brother Gary has missed out this year only because he will be leading a local angling scheme at Durham during the weekend of the fair.

Mick Watson said: "In its first two years, the scheme involved some 200 youngsters aged between ten and 16, from a cross-section of social backgrounds.

"Of those, 65 had been classed by various official bodies as being 'at risk' of falling into crime. I'm glad to say that, after taking part in the scheme, not one of the 65 got into trouble."