When keen former angler Roger Tinkler went on a special trip organised by his care home team he did not expect to catch a carp that beat his personal best, or land an elusive stone loach.

Roger, 74, is a resident at Care UK’s Oak House care home in Forest Close, Slough.

Care UK’s 120 homes each have wishing trees, where residents can hang requests for an extra special activity – often an unfulfilled life ambition or a return to a much-loved hobby or place.

Roger’s trip to Holme Grange Reservoir near Wokingham was organised with the help of Oak House’s maintenance manager Martin Blackmun, himself a keen angler.

Martin said: “When I heard Roger’s wish to go fishing again, I understood entirely and jumped at the chance to help fulfil his dream.”

The pair caught numerous carp, including a new personal best catch for Roger, a 14lb carp. He also caught his first ever stone loach (a very rarely caught fish) , as well as a number of roach.

Martin said: “It was a wonderful day and it was made extra special by Roger getting a new personal best and catching such an elusive fish. The stone loach was beautiful and really did make it a very special day.”

Home manager Yvonne Keating said: “Our colleagues, like Martin, support residents to keep busy and independent in whatever way is right for them. Our daily activities range from arts and crafts to quizzes and games, from music sessions to entertainment from local performers and evening pyjama parties."