A HISTORIC clay pigeon shooting club has reached a compromise with a landowner after fears it would have to close.

The Countryman Gun Club of West Grinstead, which has been running for 46 years, faced closure after the Knepp Castle Estate planned to stop the shoots because of a rewilding project.

Known for its contributions to charities such as Chestnut Tree House and St Catherine’s Hospice, news that the 100-member-strong club was might have to close was met with sadness.

The Knepp Estate, overseen by Sir Charles Burrell, is in the throes of a rewilding project that sees the grounds returned to nature, with deer allowed to roam free and uninterrupted birdsong restored to the area.

Now the club has reached a provisional compromise with the owner which would see the site used in autumn and spring, with the use of a nearby farm during the summer - allowing both the longstanding club and the estate's wildlife to prosper.

Countryman Gun Club chairman David Meadows said: "We had a discussion with Sir Charles Burrell and he came up with a compromise that if we shoot at a time when he isn't as bothered we can stay.

"Another local farm has said we can stay with them for the summer.

"We are very pleased because we thought we were going to be closed down. Some of our members go back to when we started and we have deep roots."

With scoring records dating back to 1971, the Countryman Gun Club have raised tens of thousands of pounds over the years for local organisations and hospice charities in addition to continuing the 100-year-old countryside art of shooting clay pigeons.

Mr Meadows added: "Some of the original members are still shooting today and some, unfortunately, are treasured memories.

"We must thank Sir Charles Burrell for his support since the stewardship of the Knepp Estate passed to him from Sir Walter Burrell in 1985.”

The club hosts two open shoots each year, six skeet and 12 sporting mornings plus one have-a-go shoot to complete the season.

They have also set up and run the clay shooting at the annual West Grinstead and Ploughing Match for many years.