GALE FORCE winds and torrential rain on the eve of the Poingdestre's 16th International beach Festival did not stop organisers going ahead with the competition at Weston shore.

And the decision carry was justified when 290 hardy souls lined the rain-lashed foreshore for the start of the five-hour fixture.

Despite pretty horrendous conditions, competitors sampled some of the best action for many years with 137 flounders, 14 silver eel, 25 bass and even a codling - together totalling 213lb 3oz - returned to the scales.

The heaviest fish was a cracking bass which tipped the scales down to 6lb 10.75oz and netted Chris Vince from Andover £132 in pools.

Mick Teague, a member of the Shirley club who were organising the event, was all smiles as well when he beached five bass from the Hamble section together totalling 9lb 9.75oz to carry off the £1,000 top prize after a clear victory during the star-studded event which saw 92 competitors return fish to the scales.

Steve Ellis, a member of Elmore SAC from Lee-on-the-Solent, also got among the fish, beaching a brace of bass along with two flounders weighing 7lb 10oz to collect the £500 runners-up prize while Peter Tratt, a member of Fords Sports SAC was £250 better off after landing five flounders and a solitary silver eel together weighing 7lb 5oz.

Many of the juniors fishing also showed their mettle, landing some excellent fish considering the adverse weather.

David Winstanley, a member of the Fords club, won the £75 top prize with a 2lb 9oz bass.

Runner-up in the junior section, who collected £50 for his efforts, was Gary Jerrim, a member of Southampton SAC, with a brace of flounders weighing 1lb 7.50oz, followed by Dominic Crowley and Lillian Perry with 1lb 6.25oz and 1lb 0.25oz respectively.

Daphne Harding was once again in fine form to win the ladies' section with three flatties weighing 2lb 1oz to collect the £100 top prize ahead of Jan Dyke from Southampton, who was £50 better off with a solitary flounder of 14oz.

Full Results: 1 Mick Teague 9lb 9.75oz, 2 Steve Ellis 7lb 10oz, 3 Peter Tratt 7lb 5oz, 4 Chris Vince 6lb 10.75oz, 5 Mark Butcher 5lb 8oz, 6 Kevin Hunt 4lb 15.50oz, 7 Shane Harris 4lb 3.50oz, 8 John Bell 4lb 3.50oz, 9 Stuart Norris 3lb 14.75oz, 10 Bob Patterson 3lb 13oz.