GENEROUS gun owners have raised thousands of pounds for Help For Heroes at a charity shooting day.

The event was held at the Spennymoor and District Clay Pigeon Gun Club based at West House Farm in Fishburn today (October 13).

Organiser Phil Bartlett said he is not sure how much has been raised but is hoping to get at least £6,000 for the charity.

And he said the money raised in the North East will be used by Help For Heroes at their new recovery centre in Catterick.

He said: “It’s been an absolutely brilliant day, it started a bit quiet but it got so much busier.

“The weather has been nasty but it didn’t put anyone off and we have seen some fantastic shooting.”

Lee Jackson won the 50 open shooting category while John Adams, a member of England’s shooting team, was victorious in the down the line contest.

Mr Bartlett said: “Everyone stayed right until the very end and I would like to thank all those who took part.

“We had a very successful auction led by the fantastic Dave Griffiths.”

Mr Bartlett, who has organised the event for the past five years, has already raised more than £3,000 for the charity this year by doing bag packs at Asda in Spennymoor with the help of the Durham Cadet Force.

For more information on the gun club, visit spennymoor-ctc.co.uk.