The Environment Agency has confirmed a photo sent to them by angler Andy Alder was a giant snakehead, BBC News reported.

It is believed the snakehead, which is native to Africa and Asia, would not survive long in the UK.

The fish is a predator and can grow up to one metre (3ft) long, but the agency said the cold conditions would probably prove fatal to it.

Mr Alder, who was not sure what type of fish it was, took it home but disposed of it after a few days.

Angler's Mail editor Tim Knight said: "Strange things do get caught in this country - as sometimes people dump them out of their fish tanks."

The snakehead eats other fish and frogs and can survive out of water for up to three days.

Rita Penman, of the Environment Agency's Anglian region, said: "It may have been smuggled into the country for an aquarium and then released.

"We are taking it seriously and would urge people not to put non-native species into our waters - because of the risk of spreading disease.

"If in doubt, please contact the Environment Agency."

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