ANGLERS showed they were first-class catchers when they reeled in more than £1,500 to help a rescue service to stay in the air.

More than 50 competitors from across the North of England took part in a charity angling match organised by airmen from the RAF Leeming Angling Club.

The contest is now in its 11th year and anglers taking part this year caught more than 600lb of fish, mainly chub.

All of the fish were returned alive to the River Swale, between Leeming and Gatenby.

The RAF's angling efforts raised a total of £1,525 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The highest collector on the day was Mike Rampling, of Boroughbridge, who managed to raise £250 through donations from family and friends.

Air ambulance fundraiser Fiona Goulding said: "We are extremely grateful to RAF Leeming for their support and were delighted to be told that the proceeds from their next angling tournament will also be donated to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance."

The cheque was handed over to Air Ambulance representatives at RAF Leeming. They were also given an opportunity to sit in a Tornado fighter.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which is based at Leeds/Bradford Airport, has been saving lives across the county since October 2000.

During that time it has been scrambled more than 2,000 times, carried more than 400 patients to hospital and more than 550 injuries have been treated at the scene. The charity's fundraisers need to raise more than £1m a year to keep the helicopter airborne. Anyone wishing to help to raise funds should call 0845 120 6060.