A Norfolk angler has set a new world record at the International Casting Sports Federation Championships staged in Poland.Colin Howlett from Pightle Way, Lyng, won his gold medal in the 18gram multiplier event with a cast of 118.

A Norfolk angler has set a new world record at the International Casting Sports Federation Championships staged in Poland.

Colin Howlett from Pightle Way, Lyng, won his gold medal in the 18gram multiplier event with a cast of 118.27 metres.

That distance was ruled out as a world best because of a brisk following wind, but his previous best 116.32m in a qualifying round was accepted as a new record, beating runner-up Peter Thaine of Blythe, who completed a splendid one-two for the UK Surf Casting Federation squad with a throw of 111.08m.

The 57-year-old production director with building firm is treasurer of the UKSF while his wife Ann is secretary. He has only been involved in plug casting for four years, but in that time he and his colleagues have fine-tuned the technique to the point where the England squad is now well in advance of the other 17 countries competing.

“I believe I was one of the oldest competitors out there, but our new approach to plug casting and the resulting superior technique paid off in the multiplier event,” he said.

But the question remains: is Colin Howlett really an angler? “I caught 10 bream between 8lb and 11lb 3oz just before the casting championships while visiting a private water, for a trial on what is expected to become a commercial fishery next spring. I think that qualifies me as both a field sport and a rod and line sportsman,” he said.