OUTRAGED golfers have seen off a camouflaged gunman after he got in the way of their game.

The three players, who have not been named, came across the man armed with a rifle on the 12th hole at Consett Golf Club.

They were so incensed to find a trespasser on the course that they ignored the fact that he was carrying a high-powered airgun and took him to task.

Club secretary Ian Murray said: "This is a private members club and sometimes it is like having 600 green keepers out there.

"The three who spotted this man wouldn't have thought twice about challenging him. They were more outraged that he was trespassing than anything else." The incident took place on the morning of Saturday, November 23. But other members believe they may have seen the same man on the course again last Sunday.

Police have also recovered an empty shell casing from the scene.

"It is a worry to us, both the trespassing and the finding of a bullet," said Mr Murray.

"We have a strong junior section here and we don't want them to be scared by this man."

He believes the man could possibly be a poacher and said that the bodies of six squirrels and a fox have been found recently at various points on the fairway. We are very concerned for our wildlife. We have deer on the course and this man could be a threat to them as well," he said.

The gunman is described as aged 30 to 40, 5ft 8ins to 5ft 9ins tall, of medium build, with short, ginger hair.

He was wearing military-style camouflage clothing.

When challenged by the golfers, he at first claimed to be the club's head gardener.

When pressed, he left the course on the Derwent Walk, in the direction of Blackhill.

Anyone with any information should contact Consett Police on (01207) 504204.