Paul Harrop from Abingdon is the Division 5 National individual champion.

Harrop, a 38-year-old self-employed joiner and cabinet-maker, included seven barbel up to 5.5lbs in his winning weight of 24lb 7oz on the tidal stretch of Trent.

Fishing for the Faringdon-based Turners Tackle & Bait, Harrop netted £1,760 for a £10 each way bet which will help pay for all his woodworking tools that were stolen earlier this year.

Paul HarropThe match attracted 35 teams of 12 anglers from Winthorpe to Dunham Bridge, and Harrop had "no knowledge" of what his peg in G Section could produce!

In fact, he drew one of the most fancied pegs, starting off by feeding casters, hemp and maggots with a bronze maggot on a size 20 hook to 1.5 lb line.

With such light gear in a well-known barbel hot-spot, Harrop did well to land his first barbel but then when he lost the next one, he decided to step up to a size 18 hook to 3lb line.

Fishing his 12th National, Harrop then moved up to a size 16 hook to 4lb line.

He said: "I didn't know anything about the peg at the start, but I had a great last hour as I landed three good barbel.

"In all, I netted seven barbel, about a dozen dace, two roach, four gudgeon and a perch and also lost a couple of good barbel.

"My previous best pay day was about £250 and my only disappointment was that I didn't enter the individual pools which, I am told, has cost me more than £800.

"Even so, it's an incredible feeling to win an Embassy National - I have had a brilliant day out and it's taking a while to sink in.

"Losing all my woodworking tools earlier this year was really disappointing and caused a lot of problems. But this victory has certainly given me a real boost. It's easily the most money I have won in a match."

Harrop had been close to a medal many years ago when, aged just 16, he came seventh in a previous national championship.

He finished ahead of Birmingham angler Bob Ellis, second with 24.7.0 of chub on caster.

Turners Tackle & Bait were just outside the ten automatic promotion places in 13th spot with 231 points.

Winners on the day were Team Peninsula Marazion, followed by local club Collingham AA, and West Yorkshire Gas Club.