COUNCILLORS in Haltwhistle remain hopeful of securing fishing rights for local fishing club members.

Rights for fishing the River South Tyne between the Alston Arches and the nearby football field were held by paint firm Akzo Nobel, until it closed its Haltwhistle factory in 2002.

Since then, they have been held by Northumberland County Council, but Haltwhistle Town Council is keen to take over the entitlement, for the benefit of the Haltwhistle and District Angling Association.

At the latest town council meeting Coun. Alan Sharp said communications with the local authority are ongoing over a possible asset transfer of the rights.