IN AN effort to attract more youngsters to the sport of fishing, there is an opportunity for youngsters to fish for free in West Devon.

South West Lakes Trust is offering fishing free of charge to young people under the age of twelve at all its day fishing coarse fisheries ? the only condition is they must be accompanied by a full paying adult over the age of 18 and with permission of their parents or guardian.

And at the trust?s trout fisheries, children under the age of twelve may fish free as part of a ?parent and child scheme?, under which the parent buys a permit and shares the bag limit with the youngster.

South West Lakes Trust looks after fisheries in Devon, Cornwall and West Somerset, including Roadford Lake near Okehampton.

Roadford is a fly fishing lake only, where a limited number of boats are available for hire. The season runs from March 22 to October 12.

Contact South West Lakes Trust on 01837 871565 for more information about free fishing for children.