THERE was no need for young Jake Pope to fish for compliments after landing gold at a national angling competition.

The 12-year-old Tottington High School pupil's prize-winning haul was the talk of Partridge Lakes in Warrington, where he was competing in the Angling Trust National Championships.

His fantastic 57lb catch weighed in 20lb heavier than his nearest rival in the Cadet (under-13s) section.

He also won a silver medal for best catch in his section of the competition, while he narrowly missed out on team gold, with his mates in Team Matchaid having to settle for silver.

It was the latest, and most prestigious, in a long line of achievements for the Tottington-born angler since first picking up a rod when he was seven years old.

"Hopefully Jakes success will inspire other youngsters in the area to take up the sport," said his mother, Janet Crompton.

"I actually got Jake and his brother Ben (aged 18) interested in it after noticing a sign while walking around Burrs Country Park advertising children's angling sessions for £1.

"The sessions were being offered by Ramsbottom Angling Association and both Jake and Ben really took to it straight away.

"They have been members of the association ever since, and really benefited from help given by Paul Duerden, the former Bury Times angling columnist, before he sadly lost his battle with cancer, as well as head coach Neil Wright.

"Their dad (Martin Pope) has also supported them all the way and I have even qualified as a level one coach to help with the kids at the association."

Jake's success on the local lodges saw him get poached to fish for charity side Team Matchaid in competitions across the North West.

And he has been a keen beneficiary of recent Lottery funding, which has allowed Ramsbottom Angling Association to build a permanent base at the Lido in Clarence Park, which is due to be officially opened later this month.

The new cabin is kitted out to allow the association to teach juniors and disabled children.

To find out more, visit ramsbottomanglers.co.uk