KEIGHLEY and Skipton angling clubs joined forces for an initiative designed to give young people a taste of fishing.

More than 25 families responded to a social media invitation to try the activity.

Sessions were run jointly by officials from both clubs, following a recent groundbreaking collaboration which has seen members share the canal waters between Keighley and Gargrave.

For many children, it was the first time they had held a fishing rod.

Bob Granger, who chairs the Keighley club, said: "The response to our Facebook message was amazing. We originally planned to have a single event, but the number of families that signed-up meant we ran a couple of two-hour sessions.

"I want to thank the Keighley and Skipton volunteers who willingly shared their time and valuable expertise. Both clubs see our partnership as the way forward and we hope to collaborate on many other canal-based projects.

"One of our core principles is to encourage young people to take-up fishing and get out into the countryside. The feedback we received from mums and dads who came to our canal taster sessions has been extremely rewarding.

"Anyone wishing to become a member can obtain further information from our website, keighleyanglingclub.co.uk."