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Angler's 52kg carp catch hailed as world record

Naj Modakand
Graham Liver,North West
Ash Hegarty Three people standing in shallow water at night hold a very large carp fish horizontally between them. The individuals are wearing waterproof fishing clothing and headwear, including a headlamp. The fish has large golden-brown scales and spans most of the width of the image. The scene is lit by a bright flash against a dark background, with trees and waterside vegetation faintly visible behind them. One person gives a thumbs-up gesture while Ash Hegarty raises a clenched fist.Ash Hegarty
Ash Hegarty (left) said the carp was like a car tyre in the net

An angler from Lancashire has landed a carp being hailed as a new world record after travelling more than 1,300 miles (2,092km) to a lake in Hungary.

Ash Hegarty, from Blackburn, caught a 52kg (114lb 10oz) common carp and said landing the fish was "indescribable".

Photographs and videos of the catch have been shared widely online, with Hegarty receiving calls from German and Swedish journalists.

Hegarty said: "I'm just an ordinary lad from Blackburn who loves fishing, and somehow I've found myself at the centre of a story being shared around the world after catching what is being described as a new world-record carp."

"If there's one thing I wish I could do right now, it would be to pick up the phone and tell my dad. I know how proud he would have been," he said.

Hegarty shared the moment at Euro Aqua Lake with his older brother, Nigel.

The 32-year-old said their late father had introduced them to fishing when they were young and the pair had continued to fish together ever since.

"Fishing for us is a break from business and a break from life," he said. "When we go fishing, we literally switch off. Whether we're there for one night or five nights, it's good for your mental health and your soul."

The brothers made the journey to the lake, which is renowned among anglers for producing some of the world's largest carp.

Huge fish caught by Lancashire man

Hegarty said he had been resting beside the water when an alarm sounded from one of his rods.

He said his legs were trembling as he realised he had hooked the huge fish and spent about 20 minutes bringing it in.

"It was slow and heavy," he said. "When I finally saw the size of it, everyone started gathering round. It was like a car tyre in the net."

As photographs of the carp were shared online, Hegarty said his phone "hasn't stopped ringing", with messages arriving from around the world.

"I know how proud my dad would have been," he said. "To do it with my brother beside me made it even more special."

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