WARRINGTON women played a big part in steering England to gold in the world championships in Slovenia at the weekend but they might not get the chance to defend their title in their own country.

Sport England has turned down the National Federation of Angling's application for funding twice and without sufficient funding the event will have to be returned to the world governing body for a replacement venue.

NFA President Ken Ball said: "I understand that the organisation in Slovenia was fantastic and funding had been made available by government and tourist organisations.

"I don't know what it is about this country. We pumped £50 million into the Winter Olympics and won two gold medals, only to give one back.

"Our women's team has won 17 medals (including six gold) since 1994 and yet Sport England refuse to give us money.

"If we have to give next year's women's world championship back to CIPS it will be a disgrace."

The English women landed two gold medals this year in a spectacular victory which left the powerful Italians reeling.

It was fished on the River Krki at Kostanjevica na Krki in Slovenia at the weekend.

If England were fatigued by their 1,200-mile overland dash to Slovenia they certainly did not show it as they propelled themselves past the other 17 competing nations to land a remarkable double gold tally.

Three England anglers, Sandra Scotthorne, Warrington Anglers' Association's Wendy Lythgoe and Helen Dagnall from Warrington claimed three of the five section wins on day one and the team sensed that gold medals were on the horizon.

Manager Frank Lythgoe, who is Wendy's father and the secretary of the Warrington Anglers' Association, admitted that this was one of the best first day performances he had seen from an England team but he kept the team calm by insisting: "We have seen similar situations before. We must remain focused and not become complacent."

Although England appeared to have a comfortable day one lead of nine points, the River Krki flattered to deceive and former world champion Wendy Locker had collected eight penalty points for her 1.7kg catch while Emma Pickering, aged 16, returned 1.780kg to pick up seven points.

The danger teams on day-two were Italy, Germany and Hungary. England's team tactics were to attack the swim from the start by feeding 12 balls of groundbait laced with joker at 11 metres out and fish over that with pinkie or single maggot on a '20' hook for bleak and small fish until the swim dried up.

The fall-back was to alternate between float and sliding float tactics to look for better quality fish such as Danube roach, nase, roach, skimmers, catfish and chub.

These tactics worked a treat and they won the event comfortably with their two-day total of 44 points.