WHEN Harry Cull joined the Worcester Angling Society in 1936 it was full of tradesmen who wanted something to do on Thursday afternoon when their shops shut their doors for half-day closing.

Long before Green issues became fashionable the group was active in protecting Worcestershire's rivers from pollution.

Seventy years on and Mr Cull, of Hill Avenue, off Bath Road, Worcester, is still a member of the society and has received an award to mark his long service. Mr Cull, aged 85, joined the society when he was just 15, but says that at first he was reluctant to take part because they were known as the Thursday Club.

He said: "Membership consisted largely of shopkeepers, butchers, bakers, barbers, doctors, and chemists whose half day was Thursday, along with a few Saturday people.

"I soon discovered that the society had been founded by a group of citizens who were concerned by excessive poaching and pollution of the Rivers Severn and Teme.

"The society was founded in 1838 and has always been active in supporting environmental protection."

Mr Cull, who is now a grandfather, was presented with a cheque for £70, a framed certificate and an oil painting of the Lower Teme Bridge painted by the society's secretary Pete Lines.

Mr Cull had been elected to the society's committee shortly after the end of the Second World War and served as both its secretary and treasurer for 33 years.

After 70 years' service, Mr Cull is still an active member of the society and a vice-

president.

He is a retired mechanical engineer, who worked at HW Ward & Co in Blackpole, Worcester, and was the society's representative on the Severn Fishery Board.

Eddie Coleman, the society's spokesman, said: "What a wonderful achievement. To go 70 years as an active member - and he is still active is outstanding."