The mammoth crustacean – around 3ft long and seven inches wide, and thought to be between 70 and 80 years old – was hauled up by fisherman Tony Greenwood.

The lobster, which weighs in at 10lbs, is set to net the Hartlepool and District Hospice a large sum of money after Tony decided to give it to town fishmonger Alan Hodgson to raffle off for the cause.

Tony, 45, hauled in the clawed creature while fishing in his boat The Stormy C five miles north-east off the coast of Hartlepool.

He was with his colleague John Butterfield at the time of the catch and the pair couldn't believe their eyes when they discovered the monster among their haul.

Tony, who has been a fishermen for 25 years, said: "We clearly noticed it among the fish.

"We were more than worried. If that got hold of you it could have taken your toes off!

"We had a lucky escape. Its claws looked like giant boxing gloves."

Tony, who lives at Tavistock Close, Hartlepool, with his wife Elaine, 42, and daughters Stephanie, 13, and Katie, 11, added: "I have been doing the job for 25 years and I have never seen anything as big as this.

"I got in touch with Alan Hodgson and I want him to raffle it off for the hospice.

"You would probably get £50 for it in the trade, considering its size, but I would rather see more money raised for the cause.

"I think a lot of people know someone who has lost a loved one that has been care for there.

The work they do is fabulous. I want to raise as much money as we can."

Mr Hodgson, who runs Hodgson Fish, in Whitby Street, said the lobster is being kept in a tank at the shop and details of the raffle are still to be announced.