FOOTBALL: BENFLEET angler Nigel Swan came up trumps when he landed a 24lb cod during a boat trip on the Thames.

Nigel was fishing with his son and a friend aboard Canvey-based charter vessel in-t-net when he landed the large fish.

It put up a good fight before being brought aboard the boat, which fishes out of Smallgains Marina.

“Nigel did well to catch it because it was a full tide run on the flood and his rod was bent double,” said in-t-net skipper Dave Savage. “We don’t usually get cod of that size in the Thames and overall it was an excellent day’s fishing.”

The 24-pounder was one of 13 cod caught during the trip. Two others weighed 8lb, another 7lb, one 5lb, with the others tipping the scales between 3lb and 4lb.

Call Dave Savage on 07830 367885 or visit www.charterboats-uk.co.uk/intnet/ to charter the boat.