BAILIFFS have launched a crackdown on anglers who fish in East Lancashire without a licence.

Four enforcement officers were out patrolling the banks of the River Ribble yesterday morning, speaking to anglers on the first day of the coarse angling season.

Twenty five fishermen were interviewed and all had the required £27 licence which allows them to catch trout and coarse fish until next March.

Of the anglers spoken to on the two-mile stretch from the Tickled Trout in Samlesbury to Preston, two had been prosecuted last year for not having a licence.

"It's been a really successful morning, everyone had a licence and everyone was really cooperative and appreciated the work we do. On the first day of the season it's very keen anglers who are out," said Damien Linney, fisheries enforcement officer.

He said those evading the licence fee often tend to fish on the lower stretches of the River Ribble and numbers there are usually slightly higher than the annual UK evasion figure of 5 to 6 per cent.

The maximum fine for fishing without a licence is £2,500, and last year more than 2,100 anglers across the UK were ordered to pay £500,000 in fines and costs.

"We do not want to prosecute people but we are a regulatory body and we have to do that work, it's much easier if people are compliant. Today it's been a win win situation," said Damien.

He said the money from the rod licence helped pay for habitat improvements and allowed the bailiffs to have a presence on the riverbank.

He also urged anglers and other people who regularly use the riverbank to contact them if they spot any problems.

"They are our eyes and ears," said Damien. "We have officers of the ground but we always rely on intelligence from other anglers and walkers."

The hotline number is 0800 807060.