AINSWORTH fisherman Mick Evans scooped one of the most prestigious titles in British angling on Saturday.

The 45-year-old sheet metal worker, of Cockey Moor Road, won the Individual title in the Embassy Division One National Championship on Basingstoke Canal.

In sweltering conditions, the Bury Angling Society member landed the much sought-after trophy -- and £3,025.

His cash boost came from pools money and a £5 each way bet -- not bad going as his previous big pay day was a modest £100 from a local match!

In only his third National, Mick landed his first fish, a tench, after 30 minutes. Another quickly followed then he spent the next 20 minutes fighting a superb 6.600kg carp -- his biggest ever on a pole!

He landed three more tench but, after two hours, the bites stopped and he had to endure a frustrating final three hours.

"I can't believe it," said Mick. "To win the Division One is just incredible."

"I had to work hard to land the carp, in fact I had to stand on my box to play it as it went in and out of the weeds. I was so relieved to finally get it into the net."

Mick didn't get home until almost midnight which delayed his celebrations and he hasn't yet decided how to spend the money, although a "new pole" might soon be finding its way into his rod holdall!