Warning issued to illegal anglers

Bailiffs from the Environment Agency will be out in force during the August Bank Holiday weekend to ensure that anglers have valid rod licences.

Officers will be making checks in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire from 23 to 25 August as part of a national campaign.

Agency bailiffs have verified more than 3,000 licences in the three counties at about 600 locations since 1 April.

Anglers caught without a valid fishing licence face a fine of up to £2,500.

Environment officer Roger Ferguson said: "We put all the money we make from rod licences back into fisheries and angling facilities, so the people who don't buy licences are just cheating their sport and other anglers."

Licences can be bought from post offices or from the agency via its website or telephone number.