Magnet fishers net hundreds of pounds with charity competition

They were fishing for coins but also managed to dredge up a safe, two bikes, a purse and a lot of scrap while they were at it.

The contest on the Wyrley and Essington Canal beside The Boat House pub in Rushall was organised by father-of-three Scott Hargood.

The 44-year-old carer and his family have hit the headlines with their finds of shotguns, Samurai swords and even what was feared to be an unexploded bomb which closed the M5 at Oldbury for more than an hour in March.

But at the weekend they were after much smaller fry – a haul of £35 worth of two pence pieces, or 1,750 coins.

Around £30 worth were eventually retrieved, with prizes for those who pulled out specially coloured pieces.

A raffle and an auction took place with people bidding for items donated by Cadbury's, Dudley Zoo, Nando's and others.

Contestants could also bid for paintballing experiences and carting days-out.

There were also stalls selling homemade necklaces, bracelets and hair accessories.

Mr Hargood said: "It was the biggest collaboration of magnet-fishers up till now."

Members of the public also turned up to the waterside event, several buying magnets with the intention of taking up the pastime themselves.

The online MS Magnet Store was giving five per cent of all magnets sold to the charity.

Mr Hargood, who has an autistic son, said: "I want to get the word out because so many families are being let down.

"I've been waiting six years to get my son diagnosed and without the help of these charities to help and advise us we would struggle."