A giant lobster caught on Falmouth waterfront narrowly escaped the cook pot recently, when a fisherman took pity and put it back in the sea.

Marc Smithy caught the male blue lobster with a standard fishing line from Custom House Quay, but disappointed a group of seafood-hungry friends by deciding to replace it in the harbour to continue its life.

Marc originally thought he had caught a shopping trolley, until a friend spotted it moving, at which point he realised the true nature of his catch.

Eve Barlow, who runs a nearby food van, said: "His friends were really excited and said they would be eating lobster for dinner tonight. A few of us said what a shame to eat such a beautiful creature and after much deliberation, Marc announced he was putting the lobster back.

"His friends could not believe it and tried to persuade him not to as they said its value was around fifty pounds, but he said that this male could help produce lots of babies and belonged in the sea."

Eve added: "We all waited around five to ten minutes while the lobster sorted itself out and then it slowly walked down the submerged steps to the sea bed.

"It was a truly wonderful moment watched by many on the quay, the only sad faces were his two friends who probably had to make do with mackerel."