Neil Sellers,Project Manager for NFW and TAFF, said: "With no football World Cup, no Ashes series and no Olympics what better way is there to spend summer than learning how to?fish?

He added: "Over the past three years, with funding help from the Environment Agency, we have managed to build National Fishing Week into the biggest event in the UK for outright beginners. Thousands more people fish today as a result of this campaign.

"Now we want to attract even greater numbers of 'beginners', from all corners of the country and in all disciplines including sea, coarse and game fishing. To do this effectively we must enlist the help of existing anglers who want to put something back into their sport.

"Everyone knows someone who may wish to go fishing, but has never had the chance. Now they have the chance to change that by knocking on a neighbour's door, taking one of their children who they have been promising to take for ages, raising the idea down the pub with one of their non-angling mates, or approaching a colleague at work. If every angler in the UK took someone they knew the affect would be dramatic.

"We should also not forget those less fortunate than us, the disabled, disadvantaged or lonely. Many sectors of society can benefit from a little thought and help. All its costs is a little time, a little bait and a day ticket licence."

Fishery owners or angling club officials who would like to organise an event in support of National Fishing Week or Take a Friend Fishing should visit:

www.nationalfishingweek.co.uk  or

www.takeafriendfishing.co.uk