IT was his biggest catch in 25 years' fishing - no, not the whopping six-pound barbel on the end of Mark Farrell's line but the love of his life.

He promised girl-friend Jane Wolstenholme that when he caught his first barbel he would propose to her.

It was a joke shared with friends at his angling club.

But when Jane kept asking if he had caught one his reply was: "Sorry, love, it got away."

Last month in a match on the River Severn he landed a barbel - and a bride.

He said: "It took about two-and-a-half hours because they're a good powerful fish.

"But I wasn't going to lose it.

"I walked in that night with a big grin on my face and said, 'Jane, I caught my barbel. Will you marry me?'

"It wasn't just because of the fish. I don't go back on my word and the time was right."

The couple, of Exeter Avenue, Radcliffe, have been engaged for six years and will marry on December 13 at the Wesley Methodist Church.

Jane, 29, said: "It's going to be the most expensive barbel he'll ever catch!"

And the barbel? After playing Cupid, it's back in the Severn.

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