A huge bream, just five ounces off the British record, has been caught from an Oxfordshire pit.

The fish weighed in at 19lb 5oz and was landed by Berkshire angler Chris Ladd, who spent 48 hours on the water.

Ladd had another two bream weighing 15lb 3oz and 14lb 13oz, plus six tench.

He found a clear patch of gravel among the weeds 75 yards out and baited up with a mix of groundbait, particles and pellets and then placed a two-hair rigged imitation grain of corn over the top.

There was nothing complicated about the rig, just a straight lead set-up with a braid hooklink tied to a Korda size ten hook.

NORTH Oxford AS 2011-12 membership books are in the tackle shops today.

They cost £20 (senior) and £10 (junior).

Besides regular matches throughout the year they control stretches of the Cherwell, Thames, Seacourt Stream and various sections of the canal around and through Oxford.

THE next Farmoor Flyfishing Club training evening is on Wednesday (6pm).

For more information contact Ken Day on 01235 554618 l IF you have any news, views, photographs or just want to have a chat, you can contact me on 01865 725606 or email agw@awebber20.orangehome.co.uk.