OCTOBER 1 is the official start of the pheasant shooting season. As the season gets under way there will be plenty of affordable, locally-sourced and tasty game meat available.

Try a tasty pheasant casserole or ask your butcher about venison.

Game meat is becoming increasingly popular and independent market researcher Mintel predicts UK sales will reach £84 million this year. The UK's largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), works all year round to encourage people to try game meat, which is healthy and highly nutritious.

Shoot providers spend £250 million a year on conservation and shooting is involved in the management of two thirds of the rural land area.

People who shoot put in 2.7 million work days on conservation projects every year. For more information and some easy game recipes, visit www.basc.org.uk.

Debbie Collins The British Association for Shooting and Conservation Marford Mill Rossett Wrexham