A GROUP of five local anglers are preparing to jet off to Spain for the £21,000 Embassy Challenge.

The competition will be staged in the Tarragona region of the Costa Dorada from May 13-19.

And among those fishing for the top prize on May 19 are Martin Howcroft, from Westhoughton, Carl Lowe, Farnworth, John Holt, Steve Lomax and David Chadwick, Bury.

The two-day gala final, with a £6,000 first prize going to the eventual Embassy Challenge champions, will be held on the superb Riba roja Reservoir and the world-famous River Ebro -- venues which provided outstanding weights in last year's event.