ANGLERS have paid tribute to a “legendary” river bailiff.

Jim Smith, who died last month, was head bailiff of the Ouse Angling Preservation Society for 55 years.

He was a much-loved figure in the village of Isfield, near Uckfield.

He served on the parish council and was also a member of the Cliffe Bonfire Society.

Stewart Allum knew him for 20 years. He said: “Jim was one of a vanishing breed of river keepers, a man who devoted his entire life to the wellbeing of his beloved Sussex Ouse and its neighbouring river Adur.

“Jim had been a keen angler since boyhood, and was approached by the Preservation Society in the 1960s to take on the role.

"In his later years, Jim featured in several books and magazines, where he highlighted the environmental problems facing the Ouse.

"And not long ago, he played a leading role in defeating plans to create a huge landfill site next to a vitally important tributary of the Ouse.

“He still enjoyed getting out on the bank whenever he could, talking to the anglers.”

Jim’s funeral will be held at Isfield church on January 28.