A new record of �1,000 was raised when Weston SAA staged their annual open charity match on the town beach.

A NEW record of �1,000 was raised when Weston SAA staged their annual open charity match on the town beach.

It also attracted one of the largest turnouts over the past decade with 91 anglers taking part, of which 21 brought catches to the scales, in addition to many undersize fish which were returned to the sea.

The highlight of the event was when former club member Pete Walker, now living away, caught a conger eel. This fish weighed 11lb 2.5oz and gained Walker �200 for the first prize, plus a further �75 from the pool.

A multi-fish catch comprising four flounders and a whiting weighing 2lb 13oz earned second spot with �150 for beach international Rob Marshall, while home club member and former international John Lintern landed two flounders and an eel for third place and �100.

The best specimen catch of the day and worth �75 went to Mike Busty, with a splendid flounder weighing 1lb. 9oz. In addition, anglers caught many undersize whiting which were returned to the sea.

The presentation was held near the clubhouse, where local RNLI station manager, Peter Holder received the cheque from club chairman Mike Tanner and thanked the organising committee and competitors for their splendid contribution.