THE annual angling extravaganza on the Avon takes place this weekend, culminating in the Wychavon Championships on Bank Holiday Monday.

Famous names from the world of fishing will be congregating on the banks of the river for three days, all intent on lifting the prestigious John Smith's Bitter title which, sadly, is being contested for the last time in Evesham.

Event manager since the launch 23 years ago, Dick Derrington intends to keep the championship going but it will be the brewery sponsors final fling after two decades of top-class support.

Individual and team titles will be decided on the Avon between 11am and 4pm and the fields are packed with most of the sport's top names.

There will be top female anglers, the best of the country's young crop and well-known names from Scotland, Wales, London, Yorkshire, Manchester, the South West and of course the Midlands.

Evesham's Brian Bennett, the 1993 Wychavon champion, is rated a 16-1 shot to lift the prestigious title, while internationals Wayne Swinscoe, Mark Pollard and Stu Conroy are likely to be in the final shout along with Bewdley's Dave Harrell.

Keith Arthur will be defending the title he won in 1999, alongside many other previous winners.

The team section looks particularly tough to predict although crack squads Essex Van-Den-Eynde and Redditch-based Shakespeare Super are expected to be in Sunday's final shake-up.

Reigning team champions Team Carbo Tec will be out to defend their crown in what promises to be a close-fought contest.

A top prize of £2,000 is up for grabs in Saturday's individual contest from a total prize fund of £4,250. The winning team the next day will receive £1,600 out of a pot of £4,030.

Commercial sales will be taking place in the tented village, while youngsters can take advantage of all the fun of the fair on Abbey Park.

Monday will see 45 top-class anglers in action in the 18th staging of the Wychavon, when Gary Seadon will be defending the title he won 12 months ago.

The field will also include Bennett, Colin Pettifer, the Avon match record holder for bream, Dave Vincent and Phil Preston. The draw takes place at 9am with fishing again between 11am and 4pm.

The chairman of Wychavon District Council, David Folkes, will present the trophies at around 5pm.