AN ANGLER who is tackling a year-long fishing challenge to raise money for charity has caught just one fish in his first three weeks.But Mark Blake, 44, is determined not to be downbeat about his shortage of catches, not to mention the cold weather.

By John Howard

AN ANGLER who is tackling a year-long fishing challenge to raise money for charity has caught just one fish in his first three weeks.

But Mark Blake, 44, is determined not to be downbeat about his shortage of catches, not to mention the cold weather.

The one fish he has netted since starting his non-stop fishing marathon on October 4 was a mirror carp weighing in at 20lb 2oz.

Mr Blake, a former builder and window cleaner, said: "It's really hard going at the minute, the fish are not coming out, and it gets really cold at 4.15am.

"But I get my heater on and it's fine again. I am determined, as confident as ever and have no intentions of giving up.

"A lot of anglers are coming up to me, giving me bait, they are a great bunch of blokes. I am a grandfather, love kids and wanted to do something for Children in Need.''

Mr Blake is being sponsored by people and will not leave the Suffolk Water Park at Bramford, near Ipswich, until the challenge is completed.

He had filled his tent with rations and is luckily not relying on his catches for food, instead having fry-ups from the on-site cafe to supplement his supplies.

His family have also pledged to bring him food to cook on his two camping stoves and take away his dirty washing.

Mr Blake, who enjoys the peace and quiet, the scenery at the water park and is passionate about fishing, has already raised around £3,000 and hopes to see the eventual figure rise to £20,000. Only this weekend someone sponsored him £1 a day - £365 in total – for his marathon.

Once the year is over Mr Blake, who moved out of his home at Shimpling, near Bury St Edmunds, before setting up camp at the lakeside, hopes to turn his daily diary into a book for the charity.