THE Gytes Leisure Centre in Peebles is helping soldiers to recover from the stresses of active service by providing two crown water fishing permits to the charity Fishing for Heroes.

The national charity, founded in 2009, helps forces personnel who are suffering from emotional issues following active service by providing them with fully funded fly fishing courses and instruction.

Lee McCudden, Duty Manager at the Gytes Leisure Centre said: “Research conducted in the USA has identified fly fishing as an effective therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and has shown that a short course of instruction can result in a 20 per cent reduction in symptoms.

“Peebles is synonymous with some of the finest fishing in the world and we were delighted to be able to help the charity with its work by providing two fishing permits for 2015.” Borders Sport and Leisure’s Gytes Leisure provides exclusive fishing rights to two beats within Peebles, Neidpath (Crown water) beat and Peebles Burgh Water (Town water) beat.

Ewan Jackson, Chief Executive of Borders Sport and Leisure, added: “We are always looking for ways to work with partners to improve the lives and health of people in our communities. We are supporting Fishing for Heroes to aid people who will gain real benefit from this leisure activity in the Tweeddale area.” More information on purchasing fishing permits for these stretches can be obtained by contacting the Gytes Leisure Centre on 01721 723688.