MORE than £24,000 has been raised in the battle against cancer in an annual shooting competition.

The Test Valley Charity Clay Pigeon Shoot took place earlier this month at the Compton Manor Estate, with guests including comedian Jim Davidson OBE and Romsey and Southampton North MP Caroline Nokes.

With prizes on offer for the sharpest shooters, the funds raised on the day went towards Cancer Research UK as well as other causes.

Organiser John Vanderpump said the total was a new record, just topping last year’s efforts. The clay pigeon shoot, which was broken down into several categories, was followed by an auction, conducted for another year by Stockbridge comedian Jim Davidson.

For the shoot, the gentlemen’s top gun was Phil King with 99 points, and the ladies top gun was Penny Barter, recording 73 points, joint top with Charlotte Springall.

The top gun side by side was Henry Potter, with 86 points, and the gentlemen’s top team was the Bordeaux Bandits, with 467 points. The ladies top team was the All Girls, recording 343 points on the day. Afterwards, MP Caroline Nokes handed out the awards to the winners on May 4 at the manor. The funds were split between Cancer Research UK and the King’s Somborne village hall redevelopment fund.