RURAL pursuits from angling to village sport will be on display during a celebration of countryside pursuits this week.

Visitors to the CLA Game Fair, to be held at Harewood House, between Harrogate and Leeds, from Friday, will see a whole host of sporting and recreational pastimes available in the British countryside.

The fair has a Give-It-A-Go theme with visitors encouraged not just to watch and listen but to get involved and try their hand at all the sports they can see.

Organiser John Standeven said there was an "incredible array" of activities going on in the countryside and the show gave everyone a chance to get involved.

He said: "Our 'have-a-go' project is to show people how accessible these recreational opportunities really are and to encourage them to get the most out of the countryside."

All over the Game Fair's 400-acre site will be opportunities for people to try out a new sport or hobby with expert guidance and coaching.

Every area will be able to offer first timers a taste of what the sport has to offer. Fly-fishing, ferreting, and even falconry are all offering people a chance to try the sports.

One feature is called New Countryside, an exhibition which demonstrate lively activities going on in the Yorkshire countryside such as flying, diving, potholing and jet skiing.

For "grown-up" children there is the opportunity to drive a train, compete in a rally or even take part in a tank battle at the Model Centre. "There is simply no other event which brings together such a huge range of opportunities for people to actually give it a go - and we hope they do," said Mr Standeven.

The 46th CLA Game Fair, run by the Country Land and Business Association is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors.

For tickets phone 0870 126 1755. Advance tickets cost £13.50 for adults, £5 for children aged between nine and 18. Those aged eight and under get in free.

Updated: 10:24 Monday, July 28, 2003