MIKE Rowe from Drewsteignton is an angler with a big heart — for the second year running he has raised the most cash in the Vranch House School and Centre Fly Fishing Charity Challenge.

The 62-year-old builder raised £1,556, beating last year's figure by almost £200.

Mike's cash, together with the fundraising efforts of 82 other anglers who took part in the challenge across Devon and Cornwall, have totalled £13,008.

The annual event in aid of Vranch House in Exeter, a centre for children with cerebral palsy, has been running since 1992 and raised £88,478 to date.

Marketing manager for the charity Sue Gould said: 'The total raised by these anglers, especially Mike, is magnificent, particularly given the circumstances with foot and mouth.

'The funds are needed to buy vital equipment like mobility and communication aids and we need a range of these to suit individual children's abilities and ages.

'On behalf of the children who benefit I would like to say a heartfelt thank-you to all the anglers, fisheries and sponsors.'

Mike said it was a nice feeling to have raised the biggest total for two years on the trot.

'I love my fishing but it is the cause that I am mainly interested in,' he said. 'The charity is tremendous in what they do for these young kiddies — when you have children and grandchildren who do not have any problems you think about the ones who are suffering.'

The self-employed builder is closing his business and semi-retiring at the end of the month and plans to spend some time each month at Vranch House helping out.

He said he was grateful to all his customers and friends who made a donation.