RADNORSHIRE fallen stock collectors FM Caine & Sons have retrieved possibly the largest animal ever handled in the firm's 96 year history - a seven ton whale.

The family firm, run by brothers Matthew, Ben and Michael Caine, usually collect fallen stock for farmers, breeders and growers within a 100 mile radius of Knighton in landlocked Radnorshire.

But for the past year the Pen y Bont Road based firm has been on standby to collect a whale from anywhere along the UK coast for the makers of an ITV documentary.

Earlier this month Michael and driver John Lewis drove through the night after being notified a humpback whale had died after falling into difficulties off Helmsdale in Sutherland, in the Scottish Highlands.

They collected the 31 foot mammal which is now being held in specially installed nitrogen freezing tanks at the firm's base.

"I don't think we've ever had to deal with such a large creature," said Matthew: "We are far more used to cattle and sheep with an average cow weighing half a ton."

For more on this story see this week's Brecon & Radnor Express - on sale now