By Alan Yates

Folkestone’s Martyn Reid won the British Open Championships fished at Deal at the weekend for a remarkable third time in four years.

Once again he drew the low numbered pegs at Sandwich Bay where he is unbeatable.

Reid (pictured) landed dogfish and whiting for 3.940kg to take the £1,000 top prize and the British title, beating 230 other sea anglers.

In second place, only just, was Deal’s Mark Hurcombe who fished near the three posts at Sandown for 3.750kg and third was George Smith, of Grimsby, who fished the Pink House at Sandown for 3.630kg.

The team winners were the Folkestone squad of Reid, Kevin Bowles, Lee Heaver and Mick Tapsell. The biggest round fish was a bass of 1,450kg for Ben Hacket, of Deal, winning him £500. The biggest flatfish – also worth £500 to the winner – went to Andy Coffin, of Herne Bay, with a sole of 410g.

Ladies’ winner was Shelley Bassett, of Deal, with 1.190kg and the top junior was Adam Howard, of Deal, with 990g.

Reid is off to Holland this weekend for the World Sea Angling Championships where he manages the England senior men’s squad, which includes two Kent anglers, Sail Page and Richard Yates, plus Daz Newland for the Isle of wight and Chris Clark and Ian Golds from Hampshire.