A BRETFORTON teenager has been picked to compete for England youth under 21s in shore fishing this year.

Joe Cook, 17, will head to Ireland with the home squad in July and to Italy in October with the away set-up.

Last year Cook applied to the talent pathway for the second time through the Angling Trust and attended four weekends of successful trials with 30 others.

He started fishing aged seven with his grandfather on the river or local lakes.

Cook took up sea fishing at the age of 12 through his friend's father who was a member of Inlanders from Tewkesbury.

For the last three years he has competed at European Open weekends and also taken part in the nationals for Evesham Youth.

Cook, who studies carpentry at the Heart of Worcestershire College, said: "When I received the letter to tell me I had made it on to the team I was over the moon. That was absolutely the best day of my life.

"I feel like all of my hard work so far has paid off and I can't wait to continue my fishing."

The former Prince Henry’s High School pupil said he would not have qualified without the support of his father as well as from Michael Meadows and Richard Edwards.