All hands were on deck yesterday as frantic fishermen trawled the waves for their most important catch of the year.

West Quay Fisheries boss Ian Bickerstaff ordered his crews out to find the finest fish in the sea for a dazzling display to impress the royal couple.

He is hoping the Queen will be greeted by a slippery array of freshly-caught plaice, Dover sole and perhaps even a giant conger eel.

He said: “The boys went out on Tuesday tea time and they did very well.

“We’ll go and select the best fish for the display and they’ll all be from the Sussex coast.

“We were a bit worried we might have a bad day, but we’re looking OK so far.”

He added yesterday: “I’ve sent the boys out again this afternoon though, just to make sure.”

Mr Bickerstaff said his crew of 24 fishermen were “so proud” to be picked to meet the Queen.

He said: “We’ve been here for nearly 40 years and we’re a family business so it’s nice to be recognised.

"Tomorrow we’ll be trying to keep things as normal as possible – but it’ll be difficult.

“Of course we’re all nervous. It would be odd if we weren’t. But I’m sure everything will go fine.”

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