Shellshock! Rare blue lobster lands Holiday Park TV splash

Television cameras were scrambled to Ladram Bay Holiday Park in South Devon this month when one of its directors landed a “one in two million” blue lobster.

BBC’s Spotlight team and a shoal of press reporters were quickly on the scene after hearing that Ladram’s Robin Carter had scooped one of the incredibly rare crustaceans.

The chances of such a catch are put at around two million to one, and the bright blue colouring occurs only in a tiny number of lobsters with an unusual genetic make-up.

Robin has been tending lobster pots for over 60 years off the shores of Ladram Bay Holiday Park near Budleigh Salterton – and says this was his first encounter with a “blue”.

Helping him land the lobster was Ladram Bay holiday home owner Keith Setter who often accompanies Robin to check the pots.

But although most of the lobsters caught find their way onto the menu at Ladram Bay’s restaurant, this colourful specimen earned a reprieve.

Larry – as he was christened – enjoyed his fifteen minutes of fame under the media spotlight, and was then rowed back out to sea in the company of BBC’s film crew.

There he was released by Robin and Keith into the deep in the hope that he will successfully breed… and learn to steer well clear of lobster pots in the future.

The Carter family has owned Ladram Bay Holiday Park for over 70 years, and Robin is one of the four siblings of its original founder Frank Carter.

A former farm, it has grown from a small camping site to one of the region’s most popular holiday parks attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year.

Features include a new swimming pool complex, restaurant, a beach-side shack where watersports equipment can be hired, and first-class day and evening entertainment.

The park’s high standards have been recognised with a raft of awards, including a top five-star accolade from VisitEngland and the 2016 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.

Ladram Bay provides caravan holiday homes, luxury lodges and apartments to rent – plus, new this year, fully equipped glamping pods.

There are also pitches with picture-postcard views for touring caravans, motorhomes and tents, and the opportunity to own a holiday home on the park.

Holidaymakers at Ladram Bay were delighted to see the park feature on BBC’s Spotlight after Larry made the headlines… even if it’s most famous guest this year has now finished his short stay.

There is more information about Ladram Bay Holiday Park at www.ladrambay.co.uk