A 24-hour fundraising fishing match has raised £1,120 for the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance.

Carping4Charity Stevenage combines a group’s love of fishing with the opportunity to help different charities, and the annual fishing match was held at Fairlands Valley Park’s fishing lake in the town.

The group’s chairman, Mark Clifford-Smith, said: “We managed to raise a big total of £1,120. One of our young fishermen, Mark Wells, who sacrificed a school trip just to help out, raised £90 from school - well done Mark, we are very proud of you.

“We would also like to thank our Stevenage MP, Stephen McPartland, for supporting us at our yearly match.

“We hope everyone enjoyed themselves and didn’t get too sunburnt!”

Mr McPartland said: “It is always great fun and it’s amazing how much effort goes into this event. It shows the real community spirit at the heart of our town.”