A FISHING tournament to commemorate the life of keen Westbury angler Richard Brimble, who died while fishing in January, culminated on Sunday with the final match and presentation ceremony.

Mr Brimble, 58, was taking part in a Wilts Angling Open match at Shearwater Lake on the Longleat estate on January 3 when he collapsed at his peg.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance paramedics declared that he had suffered a heart attack and pronounced him dead at the scene.

Widow Lorraine Brimble and friend of Mr Brimble, Paul Cooper, who runs Wiltshire Angling, decided to organise a fishing tournament in his name to celebrate his life.

The final match of the league took place at Westbury's Eden Vale Lake on Sunday (April 3), followed by a presentation ceremony at the Prince of Wales pub in Dilton Marsh.

Miss Brimble said that it was a fitting event to commemorate the loving family man.

She said: “It was very emotional at the presentation, knowing that Richard would have loved taking part in the tournament, but also really nice being able to organise something that he would’ve really enjoyed to celebrate his life.

“The event was very well attended with 28 people taking part in each match, which was really great to see.

“The tournament was such a success we’re going to do it again next year, and it will be named the Richard Brimble Silver Fish League.

"I would like to thank Paul Cooper for all of his hard work making the tournament run smoothly.

The winner of the tournament was Nigel Saunders from Melksham, who won a trophy for his efforts, and the runner-up was Gary Williamson from Devizes.

Mr Cooper said: “I knew Richard very well for a long time so it was sad not having him there fishing with us, but it was also a nice occasion to celebrate his life doing something he loved.

“The tournament was really well supported and went really well. It was a fitting send off for a great bloke."