Shotgun nightmare ruins family holiday

Only a thin fence separated dozens of tents and vans at Kloofs Caravan Park, Whydown, from a field where a farmer was hunting down rabbits with the aid of a Land Rover and a search light.

Beverley Beales, who was camping with her husband and two children, ages 12 and 10, was terrified when the shooting began at around 10.15pm last Monday night.

Mrs Beales, of Terminus Road, said: "I couldn't believe it was happening just yards away from us. It was like a war zone. People's cars and caravans were being peppered with buckshot ricochet from the gun. Everyone was terrified, especially the children, and very, very angry.

"We thought someone would be hit by stray pellets any minute. It went on for about a quarter of an hour.

We asked them what the hell they were doing and they said shooting rabbits.

"I said it was not the time or place to go running around a field blasting away with a shotgun and called the police.

"I know they're entitled to shoot rabbits on their land but common sense would dictate that doing it yards away from a camp site is not the best idea.

"I think they only stopped because I went so berserk at them.

"We go camping there every year and never expected a nightmare like this."

Police attended the scene and took statements. A spokeswoman said: "We had words with the farmer that night and are discussing this issue with the district council and looking into whether an offence has been committed.

"The farmer was on his own land and although we have received reports about stray pellets, we believe it was only ricochet."