An angler was amazed when he pulled a 3ft carp from a canal in Kent.

The catch was even more special for Lee Drake, 21, as it was the first fish he landed from the Royal Military Canal in Hythe.

He estimates the common carp weighed about 20-25 pounds.

Due to its size, it could be around 50 years old.

After a quick photo, the fish was put back in the waterway.

Carpet fitter Lee said: "I've only recently started fishing at the canal.

"I was pretty happy when I caught it as it was my first fish out of the canal.

"I didn't actually realise how big it was until it was in the net. But I know there are bigger in there from friends who also fish there."

Lee's mum, Alison Drake, added: "I didn't know they had fish that big in there. I think it's really interesting.

"Lee was amazed when he saw it. He's caught a few smaller ones in other places, but nothing that big before.

"I thought people might like to see what is in there; apparently there are also eels.

"It might spur other people to fish at the canal."

The common carp is a large, heavy, deep-bodied fish that grows up to a metre in length.

Carp are omnivorous, feeding on plants, algae, invertebrates and other fish. One favourite food is freshwater mussels, which they will eat whole with their shells still on.

They live in weedy ponds, flooded gravel pits and lakes, but are not native to the UK, having been introduced in the Middle Ages for food.

Carp can weigh up to 30kg (66 pounds) and have an average lifespan of 25 to 50 years.

In 2008, a 150cm-long carp was netted at Conningbrook Lake, Willesborough, near Ashford by John Bird after eight years of trying.

At the time it was the biggest freshwater fish ever caught in the UK.

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