CHATSWORTH Angling Fair proved a splashing success at Chatsworth Estate over the weekend of May 22 and 23.
The good weather shone bright throughout the event for the first time in three years, leaving audiences to enjoy the sport.
The annual affair was celebrating its silver anniversary with the glorious weather and record attendance.
Over 20,000 visitors poured into the estate to take part in the fishing displays and shows which was also attended by TV personality Chris Tarrant.
"It was absolutely marvellous – the sun shone," said organiser Christopher Lloyd Owen.
"Because we've had three very wet years, people made the most of the good weather, it was just a very happy angling fair.
"There was a ten per cent increase in the number of people that came from last year and Chatsworth was at its best.
"The festival's success is poignant because the Duke was a great sports-man. He was wonderful in his support to us."
Chris Tarrant made a surprise appearance to the delight of audiences – the presenter is also a keen fisherman.
"He came on Sunday to take part. As president of the Anglo Conservation Society he does wonderful work for that and he's a great worker for charitable causes," said Mr Lloyd Owen
"We're so used to it being wet that it was a large relief for everyone. The sun brought the best out of everybody, even the gate staff said that they had no problems all day."
John Wilson, the world famous fishing sport's star, was on the course-fishing grandstand catching chub from the River Derwent.
BIG DAY: Crowds flock to the fair. P22054B3
"We have established that Chatsworth is the largest outdoor event of its kind in the world. Ours is the only open-air fair of its size which is devoted solely to angling," said Mr Lloyd Owen.
