He hopped in his 12ft long aluminium boat and summoned all his strength to reel in the fish in the 'biggest battle of his fishing career'.

Mr Ballard had to contend with freezing temperatures which left him trying to hold on to his catch while 'shivering uncontrollably'.

The fisherman then placed his 16-stone catch on tarpaulin to weigh and measure it before returning the healthy fish to the water.