Since April 1, 2008, EA bailiffs have checked more than 3,000 anglers for licences in the area at more than 600 locations, and found a few taking a chance by fishing without a licence.

Anglers caught without a valid rod licence can expect to be prosecuted and face a fine of up to £2,500.

Environment officer Roger Ferguson said: "It's encouraging to see that the majority of anglers in Cambridgeshire are buying rod licences but this doesn't mean we can become complacent.

"We put all the money we make from rod licences back into fisheries and angling facilities, so the people who don't buy licences are just cheating their sport and other anglers."

Anglers must be in possession of a licence before fishing and be able to produce their licence when requested by an Agency bailiff or other authorised person.

Licences may be bought from local Post Offices, at the Agency website (www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish) or by dialling 08701 662662 (telesales).

Income from the sale of rod licences is used by the Environment Agency to fund vital work to maintain healthy fisheries.

These include the National Fisheries Project Programme which invests approximately £2 million per annum into local fisheries projects, designed to improve angling opportunities for anglers of all abilities nationwide.