ANGLERS fishing without licences were the catch ofthe day when Environment Agency officers netted more than 1,000 offenders in a May Bank Holiday blitz.

Environment officers targeted 88 locations across England and Wales between May 1-3, and checked more than 14,000 licences of anglers enjoying the holiday sunshine.

Environment Agency head of fisheries, Dafydd Evans, said: 'Fishing without a licence is an offence and those caught fishing illegally will face tough penalties, including fines of up to £2,500 and a ban from fishing. 'People who fish without a licence are cheating the system and their fellow anglers.

'All rod licence money gets ploughed back into fisheries work which benefits all anglers, fish stocks and the waterside environment, and we will continue to safeguard this essential income'.

However, the message appears to be sinking in, with the rate of evasion dropping from 8.45% in 2003 to 7.93% this year. Licensing information can be obtained on telephone number 0870 1662662 or is available from the agency website www.environment.agency.gov.uk/fish