There is great news for local coarse anglers – the popular Acorn Carp Fishery at Kingston Seymour is opening a new match lake in the spring of 2010.

Owner Adrian Bartlett and son Mark have achieved a 10-year ambition by adding a 55-peg Match Lake to an acclaimed West Country carp fishery.

Adrian said: "We plan to make this lake one of the best match venues in the country. There is plenty room for the planned 55 pegs, but I am willing to cut the number to 40 if it means better results.

"Acorn's main carp lake is a tremendous breeding pool for most species and, over the past 10 years, the original stock have bred and grown to enormous sizes. We have transferred most the four to six pounders into the new lake, leaving all the double-figure fish for the carpers."

Over a three-day period, dozens of helpers, including family and friends, braved cold winds, almost freezing water and thick mud to help with the transfer.

Top carp angler Mark, who is a member of the brilliant Team Main Line Carpsworld that two months ago won the prestigious World Carp Classic for a record-breaking third time, said: "We plan to open on May Day 2010 with a money spinner.

"Hopefully, the lake will be a match angler's dream. The average size of carp going into the new lake is 5lb and there will be plenty of them. As well as the hundreds that have already been transferred across from the main carp lake, there are thousands more of a similar size arriving within the next few weeks. Also going into the lake will be a huge stocking of silverfish including tench to 2-0-0, perch, rudd, skimmers, perch and quality roach.

"The pegs are well spread out giving every competitor plenty of room. A 13- metre pole will reach the far margins and there is a ledge running around the island and lake perimeter that is one- metre wide and a one-metre deep. It then drops off to a two-metre depth."

The lake has been dug out and the fish are being stocked. During the next five months the Acorn team plan to lay the paths to disabled specifications, install the peg platforms and plant the bank-side vegetation.

Enquiries regarding booking the lake may be premature, but those willing can contact Adrian & Bev Bartlett on 01934 833760/834050 or 07957 828721.