Lobster arrives at Yarmouth centre

Published: 2:54 PM October 20, 2009 Updated: 8:26 PM October 10, 2020

A MASSIVE female lobster has had a lucky escape from the pot after boatyard staff persuaded her captor to let Great Yarmouth Sea Life Centre have her instead.

Hauled up in a creel by fisherman Andrew Moore, of Felixstowe Ferry, the colossal crustacean was one of the biggest he had ever seen… and in the best condition.

So the 54-year-old who has been supplying lobsters and edible crabs to local restaurants for many years, needed little persuasion to grant her a reprieve.

“Andrew was actually quite pleased when the Sea Life Centre agreed to take her,” said 54-year-old boatyard secretary and book-keeper Mandy Lloyd.

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“And I think he even felt a bit honoured when we christened her 'Winkle,' which has been Andrew's nickname for as long as he can remember.”

Sea Life displays supervisor Christine Pitcher agreed that Winkle was an impressive specimen.

“She's about 40 cms long and weighs over three kilos, and is certainly the biggest lobster we've had at the Centre for many years. Lobsters can live to around 100 years old, and Winkle may well be as old as Andrew.”

Mandy Lloyd, also of Felixstowe Ferry, said she would definitely be visiting Winkle in her new home, and added she wouldn't be surprised if Andrew tagged along too.