SHOOTING enthusiasts from East Lancashire, fighting to keep their guns, are invited to a meeting next month.

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation, based in Gisburn, is hoping to enlist the help of members, and anyone else interested, to lobby the Government as MPs prepare to discuss firearms legislation in the aftermath of Dunblane.

The outcome of Lord Cullen's report into firearms recommended that guns be kept at authorised clubs and not in private homes.

But gun enthusiasts say the Government is taking this too far. Phil Pugh, the BASC regional officer, said: "The Government has jumped on the electioneering bandwagon by saying that only the smallest calibre of guns can be kept at clubs.

"If this became law it would make it impossible for many shooting clubs to operate and would be ridiculous.

"We say it is people who shoot people. They are the danger, not the guns."

Mr Pugh has organised a shooters' evening on November 11 at the Swallow Hotel, Preston New Road, Samlesbury, at 7.30pm.

It is open to everyone interested in the issue and the future of firearms legislation.

Members and supporters will have the chance to back a campaign to lobby MPs in the run-up to the general election.

More details about the meeting can be obtained from Mr Pugh on 01200 445046.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.