Macclesfield's golfers are not the only people to benefit from this week's easing of the lockdown restrictions as anglers can now take to the water and do some fishing.

While they will need to abide by strict social distancing guidelines, anglers have welcomed the reopening of some fisheries and waterways in the local area.

Andrew Strickland, the secretary of the Macclesfield based Prince Albert Angling Society (PAAS), told Nub News: "I think most of the angling community, in the same way as the golf community, are just grateful to be able to sit on the bank and fish."

He said the PAAS is keeping a close eye on government guidelines and has been communicating best practice with their members.

"Anglers themselves don't want to sit right by somebody else anyway, you want some space to get your rods in and cast," Mr Strickland added.

One of the rule changes that will help anglers is that people are now allowed to travel further to partake in their chosen outdoor activity, but this must be done alone or with someone from their household.

On the reopening of their waterways, Mr Strickland said: "We're keeping our eye on things and if something isn't working, we'll deal with it. Everything has gone very smoothly in the first 24 hours."

Not all aspects of the sport have been able to restart with most fishing competitions having to be cancelled as a result of the pandemic until they are considered safe to go ahead.

The same goes for junior events run by the PAAS. "We run lots of events for junior, maybe 40 or 50 a year, not just our own members, but local kids as well; but that's all cancelled for the time being," Mr Strickland said.

Mr Strickland said angling has many benefits for participants, including mental wellbeing.

"It gives people a reason to get outside and get out of the house and get some sunshine, which is a beneficial thing in itself. If you look at the Canal and Rivers Trust, who own the vast majority of canals in the country and maybe another 70 or 80 reservoirs, they do major on the benefits of being able to access the canals and lakes," Mr Strickland said.

To maintain social distancing, waters which are run by the PAAS are only open to members and day ticket sales have been suspended until the 16th June at the earliest.

Mr Strickland said all members have had information sent to them regarding the guidelines they are expected to follow.

For further information, visit the Prince Albert Angling Society website.