MEET the one that didn't get away - a spotted opah weighing in at a whopping 80lbs.

It was fish wholesale and retailer Ernest Stirzaker, from Fleetwood, who tipped off his son Nick about the amazing deep sea monster which had been landed at Aberdeen.

Nick, who runs Kendal Fisheries, made a quick phonecall and the fish was soon on its way to Stramongate to take 'pride of plaice' in the piscatorial display.

"I've only ever seen one other opah in 20 years," said Nick who revealed that the opah can grow up to 200lbs in weight.

The fish feeds mostly on squid and crill and can be found in most oceans including the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

A swift swimmer, the opah flaps its dorsal fins like a penguin enabling it to 'fly' through the water.

Before Kendal Fisheries customers had a chance to bag a share of the catch, the Beech Hill Hotel, at Windermere, snapped up the rare delicacy.

Second chef Kirk Bennett said the opah had been filleted into about 60 portions.

A trial run, in which a fillet was pan-fried with chilli, garlic and lime juice, had revealed that the red-fleshed opah has a very meaty flavour.

"It tasted almost like chicken," said Kirk.