LAST week a major pollution incident occurred on the Staffs-Worcestershire Canal at Oldington Lane between Kidderminster and Stourport.

The spill is thought to be some form of oil, but is not confirmed, and has wiped out the entire fish stocks of this once prolific two mile stretch of cut, which was only just returning back to life after previous pollution over the last few years.

In a joint operation, the Environment Agency together with Severn Trent, drained the whole stretch into the River Stour which runs along side and now begin the task of restoring this BAA controlled water which no doubt will take months, if not years, to put right.

Junior anglers took advantage of the holidays last week, care of Redditch Tackle Giants Leeda, who sponsored the Broad Acres Open on Monday. Young Pete Bailey from Grafton Flyford showed the way by pole fishing maggots down the margins of the top pool for 11-2-0 of small carp, Bromsgroves Tim Hamfleet was second with a single 2-0-0 tench, third was Lee Buckingham (Broad Acres) 1-9-0.

Eighty starlets veterans in a team of ten events, between the Northfield and Tunnel Barn Farm Sections was held at Moorlands Farms Bank, Meadow and Moors Pools. The challengers Tunnel Barn Farm Black took top billing with 28 points and their Blue Team Second with 26, Northfield Silver were third on 22. Top individual was John Stockton (Marston Green) who pole fished chopped worms and casters at Meadow Pool Peg 51 for 44-0-0, second Graham Wood (Great Barr) with 31-10-0, third was Gary Powney (Lanes) with 30-3-0.

On Wednesday, the Elmbridge, Leeda Junior Open was fished on the Peacock Pool with Pete Bailey (Grafton Flyford) making it a double victory by pole fishing pellets at Peg Three, for a level 15-0-0 of carp, second Nick Burtoft (Droitwich) had an 8-6-0 carp in his 10-10-0 catch, third was Josh Simpson (Elmbridge) 3-12-0.

At Astwood Fisheries, The Bluebell Pool Open was won for the second week on the trot by Redditch Matchman Brain Williams (Astwood) with a pole, corn and meat catch of 30-6-0, from Peg 16, Second Pete Turner (Astwood) 17-7-0, Third Mark Walsh (Tascos) 11-4-0.

Pete Gould from Birmingham, fishing under the Lucas Banner was the big money £500 winner at the Moorlands Farm Meadow Pool Open when he drew golden Peg eight where he pole fished casters and maggots for 60-8-0, second Chris Hill (Fosters M.G.) 50-7-0, third Mick Henshaw (Fosters M.G.) 41-12-0.

The Thursday Special Open was won by Paul Foster (Fosters M.G.) with a pole, caster and maggot catch of 75-7-0 from Peg one on the Moors Pool, Bill Drew (Bewdley) was second with 67-6-0, third Chris Hill (Fosters M.G.) 54-6-0.

On Saturday the annual Birmingham Civil Service NSPCC Charity Open was held on the Grand Union Canal at Knowle with the Winner Steve Long (D.G.L.) fishing bloodworm and joker at Peg 42 opposite the Herond Nest Pub for 4-15-0 of Roach and Perch, second Simon Mottram (Map Starlets) 3-15-0, third Tony Delves (Ovation Leisure) 3-9-0.

With the River Severn running high and coloured, Lucas College Road A.C. transferred its Fur and Feather Contest to Caunsall on the Staffs-Worcestershire Canal with Northfield Angler Jim Pedley collecting his Christmas Cheer for a top catch 4-8-0 of Roach and Perch taken with pole fished casters, second Mal Gittus 2-11-0, third Neil Twillton 2-8-8.

Round two of the Moorlands Farm Winter League saw a peg for peg battle for the top individual places with Dave Jordan (Foster Gold) taking the honours by pole fishing maggots at Moors Pool Peg 12 for 63-12-0, Ian Whitehouse (Team Wesson) was second from next door Peg 11, third Wayne Mellings (Fosters Tipton) 59-0-0. Top four man teams were Fosters Gold and Fosters Elite Match with 55 points each, third Fosters Tipton 49.

Overall Shakespeare lead with 30, Fosters Elite Match 29, Fosters Tipton 28.

Sunday's Meadow and Moors Open was won by Dean Barlow (VDE Essex) with a pole and maggot catch of 87-6-0 from Moors Peg 5, he was closely followed by Dave Elliott (Shakespeare) with 80-10-0, third Dave Hill (Fosters M.G.) 79-8-0.

At Astwood Fisheries the Bluebell Pool Open was headed by Gary Kirkham (Astwood) with 27-8-0 taken by pole fishing corn and mean at Peg 21, second placed Brian William (Astwood) had 19-0-0 from Peg 20, third Steven Fields (Cobra) 18-8-0.

Over in the Wyre Forest the Furnace Mill Open was held on the Furnace Pool with Mark Biles (Tims Tackle) in top spot with 25-4-0 from Peg 22, second Richard Evans (MN Autos) 18-2-0, third Mark Newhall (M.N.Autos) 17-8-0.