Hampshire anglers are being warned by the Environment Agency to respect the close season or risk stiff fines.

Anglers may not legally fish the rivers, streams and drains of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for coarse fish until June 16th and any who do could face fines of up to £2,500 if convicted of fishing illegally.

A spokesman for the agency said: "The close season is effective from midnight on March 14th until June 16th and offers coarse fish the opportunity to breed, which is crucial to maintaining and enhancing stocks within rivers and streams. Coarse fish are all species other than trout and salmon. Anglers fishing during this period jeopardise the future of coarse fisheries."

Officers from the Environment Agency say they will be out in force to apprehend anglers who flout the law. "Unfortunately, every year, we have to prosecute people for breaking the close season on rivers and streams across Hampshire," the spokesman added.