Look what we caught!

Water staff caught more than just fish when they took part in a competition at the Royalty Fishery in Christchurch.

Teams from Bournemouth & West Hampshire Water (BWHW), AquaCare and Bristol Water also netted funds for the international charity WaterAid.

A total of 14 fishermen were involved with Mike Keynes, a former BWHW employee, declared the winner. His total catch of three bream weighed 15lbs.

Second was Mike Hall of BWHW with a 10lb 10oz catch while Bristol Water’s Dave Stiff was third with a 4lb haul.

Catches were below average due to river conditions, particularly the recent weather causing low water flow.

BWHW’s social club fishing section takes part in several matches during the year and is due to compete in another, organised by Wessex Water, at the end of this month.

Tony Cooke, BWHW’s Managing Director, said: “These annual matches involve staff from several organisations engaging in their favourite sport whilst helping to change lives.

“Over the past five years the competitions have raised over £1,000 which is enough to provide around 70 people with clean safe water, sanitation and hygiene education. We are happy to support them to bring what we take for granted to some of the world's poorest people."

WaterAid is an international charity which aims to overcome poverty by enabling the world's poorest people to gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education.