A YOUNG Kent fisherman who was introduced to his sport at the age of four is living up to his early promise by representing his country and winning gold. Lloyd Page, from Minster, Sheppey, took part in the Junior Shore International Championships in Cardiff and put in a performance described as "second to none".

He was part of a team of five who beat off competition from youngsters fishing for Wales, Scotland and Ireland to win the home international. The next event will be hosted by Scotland next year and Lloyd hopes to successfully defend his title.

The 15-year-old Minster College pupil put in one of the best ever results for a junior England international winning his designated zone on all three days of the competition, a feat that has only been matched once or twice before. His parents, Kelvin and Vanessa, have watched as their son progressed from a talented pleasure angler to one of the best of his age in the country excelling at the biggest event in the junior fishermen's diary.

Mr Page, himself a keen fisherman, said: "We started him at a very early age, around four and he has always shown real promise. He started fishing competitively three years ago. We knew he was good as he was always beating more experienced adults, including his old Dad. Words cannot express how proud we are of him."