Rumours of record-breaking barbel dismissed

Rumours of a record-busting 24lb 1oz barbel from the River Trent have been dismissed as 'preposterous'.

Last week word reached Angling Times of a huge fish, allegedly banked from the Winthorpe stretch near Newark.

But with the angler refusing to come forward with details or images, some within the sport believe it to be nonsense.

"The biggest verified fish from the Trent so far is just over 19lb, so where did this fish of nearly 5lb heavier come from?," said venue expert Bob Roberts.

*To read the full story, see today's Angling Times.