Be game and try out a new sport at fair

Not only can people try their hand at traditional rural sports of fishing, horse riding and shooting, but they can also take aim with archery, laser clay-pigeon shooting, and try rock climbing, quad biking, dog handling and even a simulated parachute jump.

The Have a Go theme is being promoted as one of the main attractions at this year's Game Fair when it comes to Broadlands in Romsey, from Friday, July 28 to Sunday, July 30.

The three-day event is the biggest celebration in the world of life in the countryside and organisers are expecting thousands of people to travel to Hampshire for the event.

Game Fair director David Hough said the aim of this year's Game Fair is for people to become part of the event.

"The countryside is moving on, embracing new ideas and new streams of economic activity and many of these are connected to the leisure industry," he said.

"One of the great things about the Game Fair is that we can bring all these incredible activities together on one site and show people how accessible they really are and encourage them to join in and get the most out of the countryside."

All over the Game Fair site will be opportunities for people to try out and get expert advice on a new sport or hobby.

Each area will also be able to offer first timers a taste of what the sport has to offer including fly-fishing, flintlock shooting, ferreting, falconry as well as paintballing, laser combat and 4x4 driving.

"We have to reach out to everybody who comes to the Game Fair and show them just how much is going on in the countryside and how easy it is to become involved," said Mr Hough.

Advice centres for Start Shooting and Start Fishing will be positioned near the Game Fair's main arena.

Additional highlights for the event include more than 1,000 exhibits and a range of activity displays.

For more information and advance tickets visit www.gamefair.co.uk or call 0870 126 1751.