THE Glorious Twelfth signalled the start of a high tech version of sports shooting at a farm visitor centre in Swaledale.

Hazel Brow Farm, at Low Row, used the opening of the grouse season to launch its latest attraction - laser clay pigeon shooting.

Using real sporting shotguns, the computerised system determines which of the guns hits the clay pigeon.

Up to five people can compete against each other to see who is the best shot.

The venture was launched on Tuesday with the chance for all visitors to the working farm and visitor centre to try out the new attraction free.

"Everyone seems to have enjoyed it," said Cath Calvert, who runs the visitor centre. "It is a real fun game to play. You can't shoot up on the moor unless you have thousands of pounds and we thought we could have just as much fun down here."

The game also fits into the centre's role of educating people about life in the dales and management of the countryside, including heather moorland.

"Shooting is part of the whole picture of the moors," said Mrs Calvert. "People living in towns associate guns with violence and crime but it's different up here. Shooting controls pests and it is a way of managing the moorland and it is nice for people to have the chance to understand that.

"The laser game is an opportunity for people to have some fun, test their hand and eye co-ordination and get used to handling a full-sized gun without firing real ammunition.

"Sports shooting plays a vital role in managing the heather moorland in this area and makes an important contribution to the local economy and the vitality of Swaledale.

However, it's not for everyone and our laser clay system allows people to try their hand at learning the skills in a harmless, fun way."

The shooting range will be open every Tuesday in August and every Saturday until the end of September.

The Two Dales Partnership, which holds its annual general meeting and third birthday celebration at Hazel Brow on Tuesday, also gets the chance to try out the new pastime.