ST IVES District Rifle and Pistol Club are encouraging people to try taster sessions at the club as part of National Shooting Week. The country-wide event, which will involve more than 100 shooting schools and clubs, is running from Saturday May 23 until

ST IVES District Rifle and Pistol Club are encouraging people to try taster sessions at the club as part of National Shooting Week.

The country-wide event, which will involve more than 100 shooting schools and clubs, is running from Saturday May 23 until Sunday May 31.

The club are offering beginners the chance to shoot air pistols and air rifles on the club's 25m range at the St Ivo centre.

Secretary Terry Smith said the week was an opportunity for beginners to discover the sport.

"We'd like to welcome anybody and everybody down to the club to find out what shooting is all about. It's a great chance for people to have a go, and to learn about the sport from experienced shooters," he said.

"Shooting is a very popular sport - more people shoot than take part in athletics, rugby and hockey. We're hoping that people from all walks of life will try shooting for the first time during the week."

Currently the club has over 60 members, starting at age nine, and can boast a current England and Great Britain international in the shape of David Calvert, who shoots .22 at the range.

National Shooting Week is the latest initiative to encourage people to take up shooting.

In April the club held a disability shooting day, using specialist equipment to help blind shooters take up the sport.

Targets are illuminated with a bright light, and sensors fitted to the gun emit a noise according to the brightness of the light. Shooters match the pitch of the noise to the target before pulling the trigger.

Anyone interested in trying a shooting taster session can find out more at www.nationalshootingweek.co.uk.