IF your experience of clay pigeon shooting is consigned to watching it during the Olympics or the classic Only Fools and Horses episode, you are certainly not alone.

Often viewed as the preserve of the upper classes, clay pigeon shooting is much cheaper and less exclusive than most people think. Whether you are a complete beginner or a dead eye with a 12-gauge shotgun, you are welcomed at the South Wales 2000 shooting ground.

Set in 25 acres of field and woodland on the picturesque Mynyddislwyn mountain, the range has proved very popular since it was opened four years ago by Michael and Margaret Amodeo.

It is home to ten different shooting disciplines, of which Olympic Trap and Olympic Skeet are the most difficult.

Not only has it caught the eye of local shooting enthusiasts, but also British team selectors who hold many of their qualification meetings at the ground.

In fact, the ground is the only one in Britain to host five different selection shoots this year.

Rod Harrison, who works at the ground, said: "There is every discipline in clay shooting catered for here because it is such a vast area. "People of all abilities, from experts to complete novices, are welcome at the shooting range.

"The range has to be checked regularly and be of the highest quality to get British qualification shoots."

Corporate days, stag nights and hen parties with parties of up to 50 people can also be accommodated at the ground. Expert guidance will be provided for anyone who has never been shooting before.

Non-members are charged £4.50 for 25 shots on any given discipline. Under-16s are charged £1.50, 16- to 18-year-olds are charged £2.50, while women and OAPs are charged £3.50.

For more information on South Wales 2000 Shooting Ground, ring 01495 201182. Gareth Llewellyn