ANGLING guru Kevin Ashurst has opened his heart to reveal the agony and ecstasy behind his triumphs.

In a new book "The Ashurst Legend," the 60-year-old former world champion from Leigh tells of the sorrow of losing his son to drugs and his marriage break-up.

Kevin, whose greatest glory was lifting the world title in Ireland in 1982, confesses his devastation at the death of his son, Keith, at just 25.

And he discloses that since that time, nine years ago, he has discovered that most of his lad's pals have been wiped out by hard drugs.

In excerpts from the book in the Angling Times, Kevin says: "Keith's death was the biggest sadness in my life. It's hard to believe, but out of that group of kids, 26 are now dead of drug abuse.

"I couldn't talk about any of this for a year or more after it happened.

"I just felt as though I'd let him down, as though I'd failed him in some way, but I know now that I tried everything at the time, and could not have done more. Keith had been on drugs of one sort or another since his schooldays. I'd get him off them but then he'd be back. It was dreadful.

"He left behind him two children, Benjamin and Lauren. What a tragic, useless waste.

"My marriage to Shirley broke down after Keith's death and a break-in at our home. All the pressures that we went through meant that our relationship was never the same again and we drifted apart."

The book, written by John Bailey, also covers a look back over Kevin's many victories.

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