SHOOTING, handling gundogs and falconry were all on the menu at a Ladies Day held at Lain’s Shooting School in Thruxton.

The event, organised in association with the Andover Advertiser, gave women from north Hampshire a chance to try out countryside sports for the first time.

During the day, the group of 21 women tried out shotgun and rifle shooting and got up close and personal with a golden eagle.

Howard Kirby, who runs the shooting school, said: “The purpose of days like this is to give ladies a chance to try out shooting and the countryside sports they might not have done before, or those who have done a chance to further their skills.

“We’ve got women from all walks of life here from 16 to 60, and it’s gone perfectly as more than half are complete beginners.

“Shooting as a sport is growing rapidly and we want people to know we’re here if they want to try it out.”