FISHERMAN Adrian Slater was more surprised than anyone when he won the Tope Open Fishing Championships in Little Bispham.

Adrian, of Deepdale, had only ever been out in a boat once before in his life and lacked the proper equipment for the job.

But it didn't stop him pulling out a 53lb tope from the waters off the Fylde, using only a pier rod and a spool reel.

Adrian explained: "The fish was about 6ft long and it took a lot of sweat and hard work to pull it out."

Not only did the plant operator, who works in Chorley, win first prize in the contest but he also made it a record catch.

He said: "They reckon it's the biggest fish caught in ten years in that competition."

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