DARWEN anglers are filling their nets, thanks to a National Lottery grant and their own enormous fund-raising efforts.

Members of the Newrad Fishing Club celebrated the opening of their new easy access lodge with a ceremony attended by councillors Karimeh and David Foster, along with representatives of Akzo Nobel, ICI and other companies who have helped fund the transformation.

Altogether more than £22,000 was raised to make the lodge accessible to disabled people.

Other improvements included an island built with the mud excavated during lodge improvements, and safety pegs for disabled anglers were also installed.

And local householders claim the improved view has put £5,000 on the value of their homes!

The chairman of the club, David Woods, said: "When we first saw the site we immediately thought it would be ideal for disabled anglers, so we set about making plans for it. It's taken five years from creating the plans to the finished lodge - but it's been worth it."

Mr Woods said the lodge would not have been possible without the generosity of local firms. He thanked in particular the people at Acorn Plant Hire, who helped with practical advice as well as with the excavation.

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