TWO illegal anglers have been fined for fishing without licences.

The pair, who were caught in separate incidents, faced a maximum fine of £2,500 when their cases were heard by East Berkshire magistrates.

On November 18 last year, Martin Hopgood, 47, of Fairwater Drive, Woodley, was caught fishing without a rod licence at Redlands Pit, Twyford, by Enivronment Agency (EA) officers. The former gravel pit is owned by Southlake Angling Society.

Magistrates ruled Hopgood should pay a £55 fine with £75 costs.

Angler Lee Kennedy, 20, of Orchard Estate, Twyford, was fined £80 with £75 costs for unlicensed fishing on August 11 last year, at New Farm fishery, Maidenhead.

Matt Carter, EA regional fisheries specialist, said: "Those who try to cheat the system and avoid buying a rod licence are cheating their fellow anglers.

"If anyone is caught flouting the law they will be caught and punished." The two men were caught during a Berkshire-wide crackdown, which saw 11 others prosecuted.

The 13 illegal anglers were all charged at the Slough court on April 18 - magistrates ordered a total of £1,085 in fines and £975 costs, plus £15 each in victim surcharges.

Rod licences can be bought from Post Offices and a number of other outlets, by phone on 0870 166 2662 or online at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish