A Melksham angler saved by the Wiltshire Air Ambulance has landed the catch of the day for the charity, raising more than £1,000 with a charity competition.

Steve Saunders, known to his fishing friends as Stretch, was airlifted to hospital in January after he suffered a suspected heart attack while fishing at the canal in Honeystreet, near Pewsey.

Following his recovery, the forklift trainer recruited fellow fishermen for a charity competition and raffle, which was held at the Kings Arms pub.

He raised £600, which was matched by his employer, Cooper Tires.

He said: “We were talking about doing it and the company director said they would donate a few prizes, and match whatever we raised.

“We also had prizes donated by local fishing groups Sensas Match, M5 Angling, and the Trowbridge and Airsprung Angling clubs raised the rest.

“It’s brilliant what the air ambulance does, I know it frightened a lot of people when they came out for me, but I’m all right now, and I’m back out fishing again every week.”