THREE Hampshire men have helped the Angling Trust England boat team to silver in the world Championships.

Cliff Newbold and Colin Searles, who are both members of Hamble SAC, and Ray Barron, from Southampton , were part of a five-strong team which fished out from La Rochelle in France where they finished second. For good measure, Newbold also collected the individual bronze medal.

The local trio were in their element during the three-day event which was dominated by strap conger, rays, black bream, dogfish and pouting.

France lifted the gold team medal with a perfect score of three points followed by England (7) and Croatia (9). Individually, Francis Couzinet (France) collected the gold medal with five points followed by countryman Sebastien Gas (17) and Newbold (25).

Rolf Marshaleck and Gary Galbraith completed the England line-up which was managed by Neil Bryant and supported by Tubertini UK.

Full angling revioew in today's Daily Echo