The owner of Whitehaven's fishing tackle and gun shop is encouraging youngsters to get outdoors and take up a new hobby this summer.

Paul Armstrong, of Bransty, who has been running Cumbria Tackle and Guns on George Street for more than four years, wants young people to have less screen time and more fresh air.

The 35-year-old said helping new anglers who come into the store for the first time is one of the most rewarding parts of his job.

He said: "Towards spring and summer I tend to get an increasing number of seasonal anglers. The more seasoned anglers go and do what they have always done.

"The new anglers are where it gets interesting and if I'm honest, is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.

"For one reason or another that individual has taken it upon themselves to come down to the local fishing tackle shop. That's the hardest part for me, actually getting them in-store.

"For the younger generation the worried parents are usually waiting in the wings and I like to reassure those parents that my door is open should those children have any problems.

"Knot tying is a popular one. 'Can you tie this for me?' Absolutely! But you need to watch me so you can do it yourself next time. All those little things are what you don't get from online shopping.

"I see it year after year, those shy quiet kids who first walked in with their parents are now fishing regularly and above all, pop in for a crack.

"Fishing is not an expensive hobby to try and the benefits are huge. The fishing community is great, the friendships that form I see on a daily basis."

Whitehaven has had a tackle shop in this location for more than 20 years and Paul took over the business in 2018, following the retirement of the previous owner.

He has been fishing and shooting most of his life so it was "an easy decision to make".

Paul said: "Being my own boss is great. No day is the same and coming away from previous jobs I felt the weight lift off my shoulders. Self employment isn’t for everyone but for me, I don’t ever see myself working for someone else again."

Two years ago Paul became a registered firearms dealer and now services the needs of Cumbria’s shooting community, be it target shooting, clay pigeon shooting and more.

He said: "Shooting isn’t for everyone and I can understand why some don’t agree with it and I have the conversation on a regular basis about the ownership of airguns, firearms and shotguns and I welcome open discussion about the subject."

In the future, Paul would like to source an indoor space that allows the formation of a local gun range with the view to opening it to schools and other groups, as well as private members.

He said: "It would be great to get involved in the tuition of such groups.

"Apart from the improvement of an individual's shooting I believe something like this improves behaviour, discipline and actually gives people something unique to do that doesn’t involve a computer screen.

"Ultimately that’s what I'd like to see - getting kids away from computers even just for a few hours a week - be it a little bit of fishing or shooting. Enjoy what’s out there."