AT 86 years old, Southampton's Norman Jones has been honoured with one of the top awards in south coast sea angling.

The Vosper SAC member has been presented with the much sought-after Peter Merritt Award, which is presented by the Wessex Division of the National Federation of Sea Anglers to the person who has enhanced the sport in the region over the past 12 months.

Jones has been a lifelong member of the Federation. He worked as a joiner at Vosper Thornycroft for 51 years, and he has been actively involved within the Wessex Division for many decades, particularly on the social scene.

He has also been the President of the Wessex Division for the past few years and, despite his tender age, he was still organising the draw at the annual meeting where he was presented with his award by Geoff Knight, chairman of the division.

The meeting attracted over 40 delegates who re-elected Geoff Knight as chairman and Eric Gerrey as treasurer, while Teresa Williams remains as the Divisional secretary and Denise Warner will be assisting her.Two other major awards were presented during the meeting with Lymington & District SFC's youngsters scooping both awards.

Fifteen-year-old Ryan Hood from Lymington won the fish of the year award for landing a 3lb 6oz thick-lipped mullet on light float tackle from the Lymington estuary. The award is presented to the youngster who has achieved the best feat of angling.

Nine-year-old William Peckham, who attends New Milton Junior School, collected the junior of the year trophy which is presented to the youngsterr who has been the most consistent in catching quality fish over the last year.

He collected nine points during the year while the runner-up in the group gained just six points.

Clubs are reminded to enter the top fish caught by their junior each month into the Wessex Fish of the Month awards, which is sponsored by Hansfords at Fareham.

Malcolm Stote from Lymington headed off to the World Clubs Championship being staged in Holland over the weekend as part of the SAMF five-strong team.

This is the first time that the National Federation of Sea Anglers have entered a club into the event which will see 16 club teams from all over the world in action.

The FIPS/M International referee for the week-long Championship will be Chris Clark, the Daily Echo's angling correspondent.

The Sammy's League measure & return open fixture held at Eastney provided plenty of sport with England international Ian Golds showing the way forward with 42 fish worth 810 points. The catch comprised pout, plaice and whiting.

Daniel Mogridge from Fareham was the runner-up with 40 fish worth 757 points, followed by John Williams from Southampton with 32 fish worth 590 points.

Others: 4 Tony O'Grady (Fareham) 488, 5 Mick Goodger (Southampton) 361, 6 Travis Webling (Southampton) 360 .

The next round in the pegged open series will be held at Lee-on-Solent on May 7 with fishing from 8pm to midnight, tickets details from John Williams on 023 8039 8939.