Fifty illegal anglers are caught

A total of 50 people have been caught fishing illegally in Shropshire and Worcestershire.

A team from the Environment Agency checked 582 anglers to see if they had proper licences during an operation at sites in the two counties.

Enforcement officer Phil Varley said money raised from the licences was used for maintaining the waterways and re-stocking after pollution incidents.

Unlicensed anglers could face prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500.

Adult rod licences range from £3.50 for a day's fishing to £68 for a season which includes salmon and trout fishing.

The agency said some people fishing illegally tried to run away and others were caught trying to buy a licence over the phone as the water bailiffs approached.

In one case a man was fishing using his son's licence, despite a 30-year age gap.