An 11-year-old angler fishing in his first ever match stunned all the other adult competitors by reeling in first place.

Jamie Postlethwaite - who pays just £5 a year to be a junior member of Oakham Angling Society - bagged a bream and a roach in this morning's (Sat) four-hour match at the course fishing club's Oakham Canal fishery.

Fishing with maggots and pinkies, Jamie's catch was enough to see the Catmose College student beat nine competitors at least twice his age to bag the £15 prize money in the club's second match in a series of six.

Jamie told Oakham Nub News: "I am really happy to have won the very first match I've ever taken part in.

"I only entered for the fun of it and because I enjoy fishing and being outdoors.

"I've only fished there six times before and to win against adults feels fantastic.

"My uncle got me into fishing when I was two or three, when I used to mess around with a net. I started fishing with a rod when I was five.

"I try to go as many weekends as possible - with my uncle - and I absolutely love it.

"I'm passionate about fishing - I'd fish in a puddle if I could.

"I'd recommend other children give it a go, they won't know if they like it unless they try."

Jamie is one of just a handful of junior members at Oakham Fishing Society, something the committee is keen to redress by attracting more youngsters.

Ian Wood, society committee member, said: "Everyone was chuffed for Jamie, he's such a lovely lad.

"He won by quite a margin and it was very well-deserved.

"The canal is hard fishing generally and having had a month's worth of rain in a week it was even harder today.

"But it just goes to show that experience does not always count as young Jamie won the day with a good bream and a cracking roach - weighing in at 2lb 14oz.

"His enthusiasm for fishing is fantastic and we'd love to see more junior members join the society...adults are always welcome as well."

Today's match runner-up was J Neal with 2lb, third B Gray 1lb and fourth C Mayer with 6oz.

The next match of the season is on 29 June with the peg draw at 7.15pm and start at 8am.

Society season tickets - which run for a full year from the date of purchase - are available from HTS Fishing in Oakham's Melton Road, priced at £25 for adults, £15 concessions and £5 juniors.

Photo 1: Jamie with his winning catch courtesy of Oakham Angling Society

Photo 3: A much younger Jamie with a catch courtesy of mum Laura