A British soldier who went fishing amid heavy German shelling during the First World War was excused frontline duties so he could bring in fresh supplies for his comrades in arms.

The remarkable story of Private John Henry Hirst emerged after the discovery of his innovative "spider-web" rod.

With no cover from enemy fire and during the height of hostilities at Ypres in 1915, the Yorkshireman braved bullets skimming past him and bombs landing just yards away as he spent hours catching piles of trout, eel and bream.

His story came to light after his homemade 17ft bamboo fishing rod featured on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow, where it was valued by an expert at £5,000.