ANGLERS caught fishing without a licence are likely to be prosecuted and could face fines of up to £2,500, says the Environment Agency.

Agency officers were out in force over the May Day bank holiday, checking on anglers' credentials and asking to see licences. They are also planning an equally determined purge on Medway and Kent's river banks over the Whitsun holiday.

In total, Fisheries Officers approached 600 anglers over the three-day May Bank Holiday and 71 were reported for failing to produce a licence or admitting that they did not have one. Anglers unable to produce the correct paperwork now face fines if convicted by magistrates.

Chris Conroy, an Environment Agency fisheries technical specialist, said: "All money raised by licence sales is ploughed back into maintaining, improving and developing fisheries. Licence dodgers are effectively cheating fellow anglers and the future of angling."

He added: "The message is, if you fish without a licence you will be caught and you will be fined it just isn't worth taking the chance."

Licences are available by direct debit, at any Post Office branch in England and Wales, online at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish or over the phone on 0870 1662662.