Angling society hooks USAF help

When the Lark Angling and Preservation Society decided to replace aging fishing platforms, they needed extra muscle.

So, on Saturday the USAF sent them reinforcements with 10 members of RAF Mildenhall's 100th Security Forces Squadron joining 16 local volunteers on the River Lark at Barton mills to help replace the platforms.

The first platforms were installed 10 years ago to give safe, stable places to fish from, particularly for disabled anglers.

But society president Rodger Pigerham, who uses a wheelchair, said they were getting to the end of their life so they started a programme to replace them with longer lasting ones made of recycled plastic.

He added: "The Angling Trust gave us a grant to replace some around the lake and we decided to fund some ourselves.

"But what we needed was manpower. We needed extra help to get these things in because of the time it takes.

"I'd like to thank the base especially, but all the volunteers, for their help."

East of England Ambulance Service also helped by allowing them to store materials in its nearby vehicle maintenance depot.