The big news to finish off the river season, that ended on Saturday, is that the long standing River Severn barbel record has been beaten with a fish of 16lb 5oz.

The old Severn record of 16lb 3oz was caught by Howard Maddocks some 12 years ago, making it the longest standing barbel record I can think of.

It finally went on the river around Worcester where river regular Andrew Allard (39) had spent the day targeting silver fish on float and maggot. He decided to switch to pellet late in the day, and when he hooked into the big fish he knew straight away it was ‘something special’. He wasn’t taking any chances either, fishing 12lb line.