Angler 'chuffed' as UK's largest catfish confirmed

An angler said catching the biggest-ever catfish recorded in the UK was a "dream come true."

Shaun Ing landed the 150lb (68kg) specimen at Chigborough Fisheries, near Maldon, Essex, at the end of September after an hour-and-a-half of "absolute madness" as he fought to reel it in.

Having his record catch officially verified by the British Record (Rod-Caught) Fish Committee was a "massive relief", he said.

"I am chuffed to bits - this is a long time coming," he added.

The catch has taken the top spot from the previous best, a different catfish caught from the same lake last May, which weighed 143lb (64.4kg).

"You always dream of catching the biggest fish in the lake, but to have a UK record is a dream come true," said Mr Ing.

The 34-year-old had been fishing with his wife, Chloe, and friends when his prey took the bright yellow bait.

He said the catfish - which measured more than 8ft (2.4m) long - was incredibly powerful, and so heavy that it bent the hook on the weighing scales.

Mr Ing said his friends were unable to help until he could bring the fish closer to the bankside.

"Even an hour into the fight, the fish was still taking line and we were all wondering, 'When is this going to end?'" he said.

Mr Ing, who first started fishing with his grandfather at the age of six, said: "It is not a hobby; it is an obsession."

He said his grandfather would be "so proud, he would be shouting it from the rooftops".

He said the catch was a "great accolade" for Chigborough Fisheries and that he could not have achieved it without their support.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.