THE countryside has really gone to town with a giant event starting today.

The CLA Game Fair is offering visitors the chance to sample a huge range of country sports with expert guidance and coaching on hand.

The game fair, run by the Country Land And Business Association, features everything from falconry to fly fishing - and even pot holing and jet skiing for the more adventurous.

More than 400 acres at Harewood House, near Harrogate, is filled with opportunities to enjoy sporting and recreational pastimes in the British Countryside. The 46th fair runs until Sunday. For tickets phone 0870 1261755.

Red grouse numbers are up by an average of 25 per cent on last year due to fine weather during the nesting season in the north of England, it was reported today, with broods up in the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Simon Bostock, chairman of the Moorland Association, said: "Strong populations are very good news for moor owners and the local economy that relies on income from shooting customers."

Updated: 11:03 Friday, August 01, 2003