Local youngsters look set to make a major contribution during next year's World Junior and Youth Shore Fishing Championships in Bridlington during the Easter period.

That's because three Hampshire lads have been selected as members of the two five-strong England teams.

Fifteen-year-old Sam Deathe from Southampton has been selected as a member of the England Junior team.

He will be following in the footstep of his dad, Steve Deathe, who is a former senior England International.

Young Deathe has also been selected as the reserve for the junior Home International clash to be staged in Ireland during September.

Seventeen-year-old Lee Cullen, also from Southampton, has been making a real name for himself along the south-coast match scene during the past couple of years. And he will also be heading to Bridlington as a member of the England youth team, along with 19-year-old Daniel Mogridge from Fareham.

The England Senior shore teams have also been selected for next year, with Ian Golds (Portsmouth) and Chris Clark (Lymington) set to jet of to Brazil for the World shore Championships during June.

Darren Phillips (Fareham) has been selected for the England senior Home International team.

Completing the local selections are Jane Hopkins (New Milton), who is the reserve for the England Ladies team who will be battling it out for the World title in Brazil.

lJust over 70 competitors turned up for the pegged open at Eastney where they sampled some above average sport with pout, whiting, rockling, rays, flounders, sole, codling and rays supplied most of the action.

In all, 308 fish weighing 176lb 12.50 were returned to the scales.

The pool for the heaviest fish was won by Dave Geldard with a fine spotted ray weighing 4lb 2oz while Tony McDonald was the event overall winner with a 10lb 6oz mixed bag.

Wayne Perrett (Eastleigh) was the runner-up with 10lb 1.75oz ahead of Ian Golds (Portsmouth) with 9lb 14.50oz and England youth teamer Cullen with 4lb 9oz.

Rovers stage their final mini midweek pegged measure & return open on Thursday at Stokes Bay with fishing from 8pm to 11.30pm.

Whiting are expected to supply most of the action although the odd codling could also put in an appearance. Tickets which are strictly pre book only, have been set at just £5. Full details from 01329-220354.