A reluctant angler could have broken a world record by catching a nine-stone catfish - on her first ever fishing trip.

Amanda Broadbent, from Sale in Greater Manchester, netted the fish on a trip to Spain to celebrate her first wedding anniversary with her husband Rick.

The six-feet-long fish weighed 126 pounds - 24 pounds more than the biggest catch listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

Mrs Broadbent, 41, said: "Fishing isn't really my thing."

Rick could not believe his eyes - I think he was a little bit jealous

Amanda Broadbent

Her trip to the River Ebro, in eastern Spain, was the first time she had accompanied her husband who goes fishing there with friends every year.

"I only wanted to get some sun," she said.

"I just went along in the boat to keep Rick company and thought I'd have a go."

But two days into the holiday, Mrs Broadbent cast her line and ended up battling the enormous fish - which was 10 inches taller than she is.

She said the fishing boat spun round on its anchor as the fish - which she said looked like "the Loch Ness Monster" - tried to get free.

Mr Broadbent had to grab his wife by her shorts to stop her being dragged into the river.

Record drive

Then the fishing rod snapped, and Mr Broadbent and their guide had to lean over the boat to haul it in.

"Rick could not believe his eyes," said Mrs Broadbent, who works as a lawyer.

"But I must admit I think he was a little bit jealous."

Mr Broadbent, an electrician, said: "I go there every year and have never seen a fish as big as that one."

Despite the struggle to catch the catfish, Mrs Broadbent said they threw it back after weighing it and taking photos.

A Guinness Records spokesman advised Mrs Broadbent to make an application to claim the record for catching the largest ever catfish.

"The biggest one we know of was caught in Texas in 1982 and weighed 102 pounds.

"Amanda may have a new record - we will have to look into it."