An angler landed a million-to-one catch as he randomly plucked his friend's fishing rod out of the sea.

Jim Last cast his line into water off Mersea and thought he had a fish when he felt a tug on the end.

But instead of reeling in a slippery supper, he hooked an expensive rod and reel which his mate Richard Tolley had lost overboard several months earlier.

Mr Last, 62, said: "I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it. There's no doubt that it's his"

Mr Last and Mr Tolley, both from Colchester, are part of a group which fishes fortnightly in an area called The Bowers, about 15 miles off Mersea.

Mr Tolley lost his equipment over the boat's side about three months ago.

Mr Tolley, 37, said: "When I saw it coming out of the water I said "My God, that's my rod!" and I recognised it straightaway.