The Environment Agency is sending more than 600,000 letters to anglers urging them to buy their 2003/04 rod licence by Direct Debit.
Letters will start arriving from today (Monday) and anglers have until the February 4 to return the completed mandates.
In 2001/2 a pilot Direct Debit project was launched in the Agency’s Anglian and Midlands regions. More than 26,000 anglers responded – an 11 per cent uptake rate.
Now the Agency is targeting 662,000 holders of full annual and concessionary licences across England and Wales.
The initiative means anglers who sign up for Direct Debit will automatically have a licence sent to them in time for the new season.
In the long term, savings generated by this project will enable the Agency to spend more money on improvements for fisheries and anglers.
Those who completed a Direct Debit mandate in 2002 need take no further action – the Agency will contact them in February to confirm their bank details.