Thousands gather for angling spectacle

Buy photos » Some of the country’s top anglers took part in the festival. 35012013nce2

TENS OF thousands of fishing enthusiasts descended on Evesham over the Bank Holiday weekend to enjoy a record-breaking angling festival.

The huge crowd joined hundreds of anglers, including several of the country's best, as they took part in three days of fierce fishing competition on Crown Meadow from Saturday to Bank Holiday Monday (August 25 to 27).

Away from the riverbank dozens of exhibitors displayed all things fishing related and there was a weekend full of activity and live entertainment.

Shawn Riley, Evesham Market Town Partnership manager, said he was pleased with the success of the event.

"Despite the threat of a rainy weekend, attendance was every bit as good as previous years with approximately 40,000 visitors over the three days," he said.

"The excitement started early on Saturday morning with David Harrell catching a 14lb Barbell within the first few minutes of the competition and continued throughout the weekend with the record for the weight caught broken twice! The new record set by a single competitor at the Evesham Festival is now 39lb!

"Speaking to visitors and hoteliers over the weekend it seems that hotel, bed and breakfast and camping accommodation was fully booked across the Vale demonstrating one of the benefits of Evesham’s extensive events programme on the local economy.

We’re now looking forward to the Pie and Ale Festival in Market Place together with the rescheduled Evesham Regatta both taking place on September 15."

For a full report and list of the winners turn to the Observer sports section.

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