A scheme which helped to draw young offenders away from a life of crime by teaching them the art of angling is up and running again three months after burglars stole £7,000 of tackle.

The community initiative set up by the Bournville Trust in Birmingham was so successful that police had signed up young criminals to learn fishing in the hope they wouldn't re-offend.

But in October thieves broke into a Kings Norton lock-up used by Get Hooked on Fishing and stole its tackle, forcing the group's fishing trips to come to an abrupt end.

Following several appeals, the group has received generous donations from the public, enabling it to continue.

A delighted Andy Walker, from Get Hooked on Fishing, said: "We are going very well and have recovered to the degree where we are now fully operational.

"We have had a really good response from the general public with offers of unwanted equipment and some donations of cash.

"Tackle dealers have also donated some equipment to us."

Among those donating equipment was Shakespeare Company, which gave £700 of equipment, Slater Brecknell Weighing, which gave two weighing scales, and T K Halford, which donated equipment worth £1,000.

Get Hooked on Fishing is now planning this year's events for schools and other educational organisations.

It is also working on improving the pool at Row-heath Park in Bournville after receiving £50,000 from the Big Lottery People's Millions.

A survey carried out by the group found that 98.5 per cent of the 30 young offenders signed up to the scheme did not re-offend for two years.

Offenders are offered a chance to take up fishing when given a final warning by police - but, if they re-offend, they are dismissed from the scheme.