Free fishing lessons for children proved to be a catch at the Doctor's Pond in Great Dunmow.

Great Dunmow Town Council ran its first free one-off fishing school on Sunday, August 8 to help bring families together and teach children about sustainability in Essex's aquatic environments.

There will be a second free fishing session on Sunday morning (August 15).

Town councillor Peter Noble, who helped set up the event, said fishing is a good skill which benefits Dunmow's community, wildlife and mental health.

Dunmow Broadcast: Catching fish at Dunmow's Doctor's PondCatching fish at Dunmow's Doctor's Pond (Image: Roger King/Saffron Photo)

Cllr Noble said: "Fishing at the Doctor's Pond was a great opportunity for mums, dads and kids to all come and do something together.

"Some of the children caught some really big fish.

"But this is first and foremost a lesson in environmental awareness. We need to teach children how to handle fish and Essex's waterways responsibly.

"We need to care for all our residents - including the ones with feathers and scales."

Dunmow Broadcast: A good catch at the Doctor's Pond fishing event in Great DunmowA good catch at the Doctor's Pond fishing event in Great Dunmow (Image: Roger King/Saffron Photo)

Dunmow Broadcast: Fishing for all the familyFishing for all the family (Image: Roger King/Saffron Photo)

Fishing is permitted at Doctor's Pond with a license, but Great Dunmow Town Council held an open event to introduce children to responsible fishing.

Cllr Noble said: "Angling is a friendly sport and there are ways to do it responsibly.

"It's important to take the lines home so as not to disturb wildlife where you're fishing.

"You should cut your fishing line to stop it from impacting wildlife near landfills.

"But more than just wildlife - fishing is great for your mental health.

"Children can take it up and become part of a really friendly community."

Dunmow Broadcast: A family event: Fishing at Doctor's Pond in Great DunmowA family event: Fishing at Doctor's Pond in Great Dunmow (Image: Roger King/Saffron Photo)

Dunmow Broadcast: Doctor's Pond is home to fish great and smallDoctor's Pond is home to fish great and small (Image: Roger King/Saffron Photo)

Dunmow Broadcast: Going in for the next catch!Going in for the next catch! (Image: Roger King/Saffron Photo)

Cllr Noble thanked his friends Steve, Alex and Jamie, and the volunteers from various fishing clubs for helping to run the event.

Great Dunmow's town councillors have previously spoken out about the importance of giving residents resources to manage the area's aquatic and land environment themselves.

Dunmow Broadcast: Grappling for a catch of the day?Grappling for a catch of the day? (Image: Roger King/Saffron Photo)

Dunmow Broadcast: A fishing event at Great Dunmow's Doctor's PondA fishing event at Great Dunmow's Doctor's Pond (Image: Roger King/Saffron Photo)

Dunmow Broadcast: An impressive catch!An impressive catch! (Image: Roger King/Saffron Photo)

Councillor Danielle Frost warned that Great Dunmow is on the "frontline" of the climate crisis in July.

She said: "People love Dunmow's green spaces and environment.

"We want people the power to take ownership of where they live."

Dunmow Broadcast: Fishing at the Doctor's Pond, Great DunmowFishing at the Doctor's Pond, Great Dunmow (Image: Roger King/Saffron Photo)

Dunmow Broadcast: Fishing for the first time in Great DunmowFishing for the first time in Great Dunmow (Image: Roger King/Saffron Photo)

Dunmow Broadcast: Learning to fish at Great Dunmow's Doctor's PondLearning to fish at Great Dunmow's Doctor's Pond (Image: Roger King/Saffron Photo)