A MAN is celebrating after making a large catch on his first fishing trip to Leigh Canal.

Window fitter Conor Hulme, from Leigh, bagged a pike- which weighed more than 20lbs- after two hours alongside the canal.

The 23-year-old, who only started pike fishing this year, remembers the moment he spotted his catch.

Former Lowton High School pupil Conor said: “I could not believe it when it came to the top of the water.

“I got an adrenaline rush which was immense and I had tunnel vision to make sure I caught the fish.

"There was quite an audience of passersby that built up alongside the canal when they saw it.

"I have mates who have been pike fishing for years and they have never caught one as big as this. It is going to be difficult to beat that one.”