A REDDITCH man has been fined £300 for fishing without a rod licence.

Samuel Ferris, 51, of Twinoaks, Curr Lane Farm, pleaded guilty by post to one charge of fishing without a rod licence and one charge of failing to state his correct name to a water bailiff.

He was fined by Redditch Magistrates on April 13 and was also ordered to pay £60 costs.

The Environment Agency's Jennie Molloy told the court on October 2, an agency officer questioned Mr Ferris while on routine patrol at Arrow Valley Lake.

Mr Ferris gave false details but after further inquiries and investigation, he was traced to his current address.

An agency spokesman said: "Anyone fishing in the Midlands needs an Environment Agency fishing licence, regardless of where they are fishing and whether it is a private or public fishery.

"The agency takes any failure to possess a licence very seriously.

"The revenue from the licence provides vital funding for work to protect and enhance fish stocks and fisheries in England and Wales.

"Anyone failing to obtain a licence is compromising this work and the benefits it provides to themselves and fellow anglers."

There are 17,000 post offices and other outlets which sell licences directly or for a small additional charge, they can be bought over the phone on 0870 166 2662 or at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish