Bradshaw Hall Fisheries are to hold a weekly competition for children during the summer holidays, with the catchline "Get hooked on fishing not drugs and crime". Managers John Kelly and Stan Messer, chose the catchy title for the junior fishing competition after being given permission to use it by West Yorkshire Police, who organised a similar venture last year. Backed by Greater Manchester Police, they hope to keep the children out of trouble and to lower the amount of vandalism and crime in the area.

The fishing competitions will take place every Monday, between July 27 to August 24, from 10am to 2pm at the fishery off Bradshaw Road, Bradshaw.

Each week's winner will be drawn at 9am before the next match, with prizes being supplied by a selection of sponsors.

Donations of drinks, crisps, baseball hats and ground bait have already been received but the managers are still hoping for more help.

Mr Kelly said that each child who bought one of the £2 tickets would receive a baseball cap costing £3.

He added: "I hope they will come with £2 and go home with the equivalent of £5". Children under the age of 12 will compete in one category and those aged between 12 and 16 will be in a second group.

Mr Kelly said: "The younger children who usually come here with their fathers are about 8 years old but we are not going to refuse anyone younger if they are with their parents. "A lot of people have volunteered to help on the day. The environment agency are sending some inspectors to help and the police said they might send some officers down too." For more information call Bolton 307197.

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