A Dartford teenager has reeled in a silver medal at an international sea fishing championship.

Ben Cloke, 14, from Swanscombe and his team mates narrowly missed the top spot at the World Championship for shore angling for the under 16 group.

The event took place on Les Plages de la Côte d'Opale on the north coast of France between the Jul 15 and 22.

Ben battled against young anglers from Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, Holland, Portugal and Croatia in tough weather conditions.

Each member of the England squad was put in a zone with anglers from other countries. Ben won his zone twice.

Ben said:"The experience was really good. What I learnt out there I can bring back here and now I have a better chance of winning competitions.

"I want to do this for the rest of my life. I want to be number one in the world.

"I want to be on telly and fish for as many species as I can. That's my dream."

Ben first showed his promise by winning a series of fishing competitions including the Kent Classic.

He was then invited to the Talent Pathway, an initiative set up to find Britain's best young sea anglers, where he wowed England coaches David Graham and Chris Clarke.

The coaches spotted him and put him into the under 16 squad to compete in France.

Ben's father, Kevin Cloke, said: "Happiness, sadness, tears, I've felt it all.

"It's a pleasure to have a kid who is actually doing something with his life.

"I'm just so proud. He's gone out to fish for the three lions and to come back with a medal, to be honest I'm still in shock."

Ben is returning to the Talent Pathway to get ready for future competitions.