LEE CULLEN, 16, from Netley Abbey will be jetting off to Porto Santo on April 5 as part of the five-strong NFSA England team who are going to take on the rest of the world during the World Youth Shore Angling Champion-ships.

Cullen is a member of Shirley SAC and Vosper Thornycroft SAC, and help is a hand for the trip from Kamasan UK, who have stepped in to sponsor the event with product support, along with Marinepool and Sport England.

A number of other Wessex anglers have also been selected to represent England at various levels with Denise Warner from Alton and Jane Hopkins from New Milton heading to the South of France in September for the World Ladies. Darren Phillips and Mike Delaney, both from Fareham, will be joining Chris Clark from Lymington as part of the five-man strong England team for the World Senior Shore Championships while Ian Golds from Portsmouth has been selected as a member of the Home International shore team which will be battling it out in Wales during November.

On the boats Ray Ashby from Christchurch and Richard Russell from the Isle of Wight will be joining the Home International team who will be battling it out for the top honours in Scotland.

A National squad of both seniors and juniors has also been selected - full details in next week's column.

There are still a few late cod around off the Needles as Paul Purkiss, a double glazing fitter from Baddesley found when he fished from the Keyhaven-based boat Dulcie T, skippered by Ron Bundy. He hauled in a 29lb specimen.

Wessex Angling Centre are once again going to stage their Spring match evening pegged series with all four matches held at Branksome Chine where pout, rockling and flounders are expected to supply the action. For the first time the series will be fished to the measure and return system, tickets will cost £5 per match, there will also be a £10 joining fee to enter the league which will see 100 per cent payout of all entry and league money.

The event will be restricted to 60 pegs and is strictly pre-book only, the first match will be held on March 14, full details from Wessex Angling Centre on 01202-668244.

Hampshire Rodbenders' presentation evening turned out to be a resounding success with over 70 members and guests attending the event. Two youngsters who were certainly all smiles were Paddy Egan (14) and Mike Wooller (13) who collected lots of awards along with Nick Whitcher and Lee Gatrell who collected many of the senior shore prizes.

New Milton SFC stage their annual open in three zones at Avon Beach and Friars cliff on March 10 when a £200 top prize will be on offer, fishing will be from 7pm to midnight. Tickets have been set at £7 plus pools and a two man team event. Booking in will get under way at the sunken car park from 5pm, the event will be a Penn point fixture.

A £1000 top prize back-up by £500 for the runner-up and £200 for the competitor finishing in third position is on offer during the Allans Marine pegged open to be held at Southsea on March 11 with fishing from 10am to 3pm. The event is strictly pre-book with tickets costing £15 plus pools. Plaice are expected to dominate the event which is a Penn point fixture. Full details from Allans Marine on 023-92671833.

Rovers stage a mini midweek pegged open at Lee-on-Solent on March 8 with fishing from 8pm to 11.30pm. Tickets for the event have been set at just £5, it will also be a Penn points fixture. The match is strictly pre book with details from Rovers Tackle on 01329-220354.