Ten-day blitz on illegal anglers

A 10-day blitz on fishing licence dodgers is launched in Herefordshire.

The Environment Agency said it was the longest operation it has ever held in an attempt to crack down on people fishing without a licence.

Anyone caught fishing illegally could be fined up to £2,500 and banned from fishing. Up to 700 anglers were found without a licence in 2004.

The licence fee helps to maintain fish stocks and also funds work to detect and treat diseases in fish.