NEARLY 50 carp anglers will compete in Kent for national glory in the British Carp Championship heats at Mid Kent Fisheries in Chilham, near Canterbury.

Kent's top angling venue will host two of the qualifying heats in the Angling International tournament, this weekend, and May 16 to 18.

Twelve pairs will go head-to-head in the 48 hour race for victory at Chilham Lake, from noon Friday to noon Sunday, with the winner decided by the weight of fish caught.

Among the competitors are Leigh Mansell, an employee at Mid Kent Fisheries in Chilham, and, from the Ashford area, fisheries members Dean Marshall and Ian Day, Kevin Reynolds and Hayden Porter, Gary Kent and his son Lee Kent, and Alan Thornby and Adam Privett.

Mid Kent Fisheries staff will be hosting and operating the competition, weighing, recording and photographing the fish.

Chris Logsdon, manager of MKF, said: "We always look forward to hosting the British Carp Championships. There is a fantastic buzz about the lakes while the competition is on.

“It's hard work but very exciting and attracts competitors from the UK's top angling fraternity."