A KEEN Upton angler wants to create a museum for fellow enthusiasts to enjoy.

Ron Evans, who runs Hillview Gardens nursery in Ryall, hopes to open the country's first angling museum at a disused rail terminus in Birmingham.

He has amassed a large collection of antique fishing tackle over the years and believes a museum would be of interest to anglers across the country.

"I've got so much stuff now that I'm being pushed out of my house," he said. "This has been a long time passion of mine."

After passing it on the train, Mr Evans realised Curzon Street Station, in Eastside, might be the perfect place for the museum.

He inspected the site and submitted a proposal to Birmingham City Council.

If approved, it will be eligible for a £2.4 million grant that the council has set aside towards refurbishing the premises.

The council is also renegotiating substantial grants from the EU and Heritage Lottery Fund that had been earmarked for an aborted proposal to turn the site into a headquarters for the Royal College of Organists.

Mr Evans is currently approaching potential sponsors.

"I'll be buzzing around trying to create some interest," he said.

"It's definitely something I'm going to do and there are other enthusiasts who would be interested in getting on board."

Mr Evans said he was approaching the project as an angler rather than a businessman.

"I don't want money, I just want to be the curator," he said.

"I just want to create something that people will enjoy."

l Ron Evans with part of his large collection of antique fishing tackle dating back to the 1850s that could form the basis of Britain's first angling museum.