The most famous trout river in Europe will provide a fitting backdrop for a very special series of awards which will be presented this summer to the people who ensure that the whole population can continue to enjoy "messing about on the river."

The River Test flows through the Broadlands estate which will this year play host to the world's biggest celebration of the countryside, The CLA Game Fair which is held in association with The Daily Telegraph and runs from Friday, July 28 to Sunday, July 30.

The Country Land and Business Association, organisers of The Game Fair, are searching for long serving guardians our rural rivers and streams, to provide public recognition for their work in helping to improve and conserve the riverine environment.

The CLA River Keepers and Gillies Long Service Awards pay tribute to the vital role that these little-known people play in the management of rivers and streams throughout the United Kingdom. The award is made to river keepers and gillies who have clocked up 25 years service on the same river system.

The Game Fair director, David Hough, said: "In southern England we are privileged to have some of the real jewels of the countryside in the form of our chalk streams and rivers but throughout the country people enjoy a visit to a river in boats or on foot, fishing, bird-watching or simply water-watching, rivers provide one of the great pleasures of the British countryside for huge numbers of people. What many of those people do not understand is that the banks and beds of our rivers and streams don't keep on rolling along' on their own they are the result of generations of work and care by an army of custodians.

The CLA Game Fair hosts the biggest outdoor angling event in the UK and on the first day, Friday July 28, nominees will receive their award and public recognition of the hours of hard work they put in to keep our river systems in pristine condition.

"The CLA Game Fair is about entertainment and enjoyment, but it also about informing and educating people and these awards provide an opportunity for everybody involved in the countryside whether as an owner, manager or a visitor to say a public 'thank you' to the people who help make our countryside the beautiful and vibrant place it is," said Mr Hough.

Further details on the awards and how to nominate an individual can be obtained from The CLA Game Fair Office, PO Box 6452, Basingstoke, Hants, RG25 2XQ or email gamefair@cla.org.uk