Free fishing for Abingdon residents has come to an end after 451 years, because the Environment Agency has ordered town anglers to have a £24.50 rod licence.

The town council owns the fishing rights to the Thames and Ock rivers and under its Charter of 1556, people living within three miles of the town centre can fish for free.

All they had to pay was 50p for a permit and a rod licence was not needed. But now the Environment Agency said all anglers including those with special rights in Abingdon must hold a rod licence.

The council tried to negotiate a lower fee for the issue of a general licence and for the old practice to continue. It took legal advice, but was told that the Agency was correct in its interpretation of the law.

Council leader Lesley Legge said: "We are disappointed the Environment Agency has insisted on changes to the general licence because it makes it impossible for us to continue with it. Residents' fishing permits will now be issued free but unfortunately the council has no option but to advise anglers they will have to obtain their own rod licences."

Mike Hill, the Fisheries team leader at the Environment Agency, said: "Unfortunately the previous arrangement which allowed the council to buy a generic rod licence for all those it issued permits to was unworkable, due to administrative difficulties which may have led to people fishing illegally.

"We have not singled out Abingdon - by law everyone needs a rod licence to fish, even owners of a private fishery.

"We have worked closely with the council to come to this decision and we will continue to do so and hope the council will take us up on our offer to promote angling in Abingdon in the future and increase interest and awareness of what is a great sport."

Mick Foster, the council's water keeper and bailiff, added: "It's a bit disappointing after so long but in reality it is not a decision that will upset many anglers.

"There will be no charge to fish in Abingdon compared with many areas.

"Only a small percentage did not have a rod licence, and now they will have to pay and can fish anywhere in the country. I hope the money the council will save will be invested in fishing in the town."