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Mr Hodge's widow Caroline and daughter Sally were the first to catapult balls of the bait into the River Huntspill to signal the start of an angling competition among Mr Hodge's friends

When Peter Hodge learned he had terminal motor neurone disease, he requested his remains be mixed in with the special groundbait he used to catch fish in his local river.

The 61-year-old, from Puriton, near Bridgewater in Somerset said he wanted to swim with his favourite fish in the spot where he spent 40 happy years angling.

After his death last month he was cremated in a wicker fishing basket coffin, and his ashes were mingled with 30lb of fish food.

Mr Hodge's widow Caroline and daughter Sally were the first to catapult balls of the bait into the River Huntspill to signal the start of an angling competition among Mr Hodge's friends.

Mrs Hodge, 56, said: "Pete always said that when he died he wanted his ashes to be mixed in with groundbait.

"He wanted the fish to gobble him up so he could swim up and down the river after his death.

"Everything that he wished for was done right down to the last. It was only right for us to carry out his final wishes."

Mr Hodge, a gentleman's hairdresser, took up fishing at the age of 20 and went to his favourite spot on the River Huntspill several times a week.

He had to sell his business after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2006 but still carried on fishing.

Before he died Mr Hodge said: "It may sound strange but it is my dream; to be back in the river catching fish is where I belong. I hope my friends make me proud with their catches."

After his death nearly 1,000 mourners packed St Mary's Church in Bridgewater for his funeral.

Anglers traditionally keep the content of their groundbait a closely-guarded secret. The mixture often contains maize, hemp and soya, along with chopped up worms and biscuits and is either catapulted into the river or attached to a line.