EVESHAM'S annual angling festival started today with 70 of the country's top fishermen competing in the Shakespeare tournament.

The three-day festival - the biggest in Britain - was blessed with good weather after a week of changeable climate and organisers were forecasting a record catch before a rod had been cast.

Dave Packwood, of the Bait Box on Evesham High Street predicted: "We could see a catch around the 40lb mark today."

According to the on-course bookie, local angler Jeff Spiers was the early favourite at 2/1. He was fishing Peg 1 and is sponsored by the Bait Box.

But joint second favourite, Rob South, on Peg 3, from Marston Green, was hoping to make his name with a bit catch.

"I opened at 33/1 but then dropped to 4/1 after a friend of mine put £50 on me to win," he said. "I've no doubt I'll get a telephone call from him before the day is out."

Rumours on the riverside said that one angler had backed himself with £500 at 33/1 to win the event, but there was no confirmation of that as anglng began.

However, he was listed on the board at just 6/1 despite his peg which was in the 70s.

As the big boys battled it out, youngsters and newcomers to the sport were offered a chance to enjoy some free coaching from experienced anglers.