SOME of Britain's best carp anglers will be arriving at Broadlands Lake near Romsey to battle for glory in the British Carp Angling Championships - and they could be hoping for fish of 30lb or more.

Broadlands has already yielded fish as big as 32 lb 2 oz this year - a common carp nicknamed Henry Cooper.

And owner Peter Beale is hoping that the combination of the lake's good fish and the country's top anglers will produced other big fish in this weekend's fifth round match.

Mr Beale described the event as "the biggest ever to have been held at Broadlands" and added: "The lake is fishing really well.

"And one of the anglers who will be fishing this weekend came down to try it out earlier in the week and caught 22 fish and they averaged just under 14 lb, which adds up to around 300 lb of fish."

The competitors will include top international anglers and the event starts at midday today and runs through until Sunday lunchtime.

It is the first time Broadlands has staged a national carp championship event and the event's website comments: "The 27 acre lake at Broadlands has a long history in carp fishing.

"Going through a resurgence at the moment, Broadlands has a good stock of fish in the doubles and twenties bracket with the biggest just over 30. With loads of features to fish to it will certainly be an exciting eliminator round for 2008."

Broadlands Lake is off Hill Street between Totton and Ower and admission for spectators is free.