TEAMS from Cumbria, north Yorkshire and North Lancashire and two Olympians helped to raise more than £23,000 for charity.

Two stars from the London Olympics - Team GB’s Charlotte Kerwood and gold medallist Peter Wilson MBE - took part in the Breitling at Banks Lyon Abbeystead Clay Pigeon Shoot which was held on the outskirts of Lancaster.

The glamorous annual event, hosted by one of the area's largest jewellers Banks Lyon Jewellers, of Lancaster, and attended by around 220 people from across the South Lakes, north Lancashire and North Yorkshire, raised the record amount for The ABF - The Soldiers’ Charity and Abbeystead primary school and church.

Held on the Duke of Westminster’s private estate, the charity shoot is organised by Lancaster’s Samuelson Wylie Associates and saw teams of four compete to win nearly £15,000 worth of Breitling watches while an auction of luxury items and daredevil pursuits included the chance to go wing walking with Breitling, use of an Airstream or luxury Bentley and fine jewellery.

Triple Commonwealth gold medallist and double Olympian Charlotte Kerwood teamed up with Abbeystead resident Peter Pye to offer coaching before the shoot, raising an extra £1,000 for the causes. 

Meanwhile Olympic Double Trap Champion Peter Wilson MBE joined one of the teams who helicoptered in from the south of England to take part in the shooting competition.

Sponsor Rodney Banks-Lyon, of Banks Lyon Jewellers, said: “Even though we had biblical rain during the shooting, the atmosphere was fantastic and the guests – including many new teams and lady shots – gave incredibly generously to raise a record amount for The Soldiers’ Charity.

"Charlotte and Peter were great sports and utterly charming and we were delighted that so many teams travelled so far to take part in the event, which continues to get bigger and better each year.

"We’re very grateful to His Grace and the tenant farmers for being so hospitable and supportive.”