Tackle shop-owner Stephen Mugridge likes to splash out on a fishing trip for local children at least once every year.

But this year the trip caused a different kind of splash when one of the anglers fell hook, line and sinker for the sport.

Gerard James dived into the lake at Borde Hill Gardens, Haywards Heath, when a 4lb carp pulled 12-year-old Daniel Putland's fishing rod right out of his hands.

The 35-year-old psychology student, from Northgate, Crawley, said: "I had already been in once that day to rescue a rod for one of the kids so I was already wet when I went in again.

"But the second time it was a bit deeper. I ended up sinking before I could get to the rod and I had to swim for it. It was a lot deeper than I expected, and it was thundering and lightning while I was in the water. I suppose it could have been a bit dangerous really but I didn't think.

"I don't think the kids were very impressed though - I think they thought I was mad."

Lindsay Tyndale, one of the organisers of the free day's fishing, said the rod was whipped away from the boy and dragged across the lake by the feisty fish before Mr James came to the rescue.

He said: "It was quite a large fish for such a small boy and the rod just shot off across the lake. It could have dragged him with it if he hadn't let go."

But before the carp could make off with the rod, Mr James retrieved the tackle and the fish in a watery display of heroism.

Stephen Mugridge, who provided the tackle for the free day's fishing, said carp in the lake can grow up to 30lb - and even Mr James would have a battle on his hands with a fish of that size.

But Mr James had no qualms about leaping to the rescue of Daniel, from Langley Green, Crawley - it was the second time that day he had plunged into the lake.

According to Mr Tyndale, the sopping hero didn't mind a bit: "He's a funny guy and really great with the kids. I think he was glad to go back in the water."

At least 36 kids took part in the angling trip organised by Mr Mugridge, who owns Jack Frost's Tackle, and Mr Tyndale who works at David's Barbers in Crawley.

This is the third year the pair have taught a group of local youngsters to fish.

Each child gets a medal for taking part and there are trophies for the youngsters who catch the biggest whoppers.

Mr Tyndale said he had the idea of a free fishing day after a child who came into his shop complained he had never been fishing and would really like to go.

He said: "This little boy came from a single-parent family and his mum had never taken him fishing.

"So I thought of doing this to give him the opportunity of giving it a try."

Mr Mugridge said fishing was a great sport for kids to learn: "I think it's important that kids learn to fish because it gets them away from the house and from playing computer games all the time."

All the children who took part got to keep their fishing tackle, worth around £50, after the day's angling was over.