An Olympian's clay-pigeon shoot which raises thousands of pounds for charity was thrown into doubt after objections from the public.

Every year the parents of Olympic trap shooter Charlotte Kerwood host a charity shoot to raise money for good causes.

But Dan and Jan Kerwood, who run the Northall Clay Pigeon Club in Fletching, had to seek reassurance from the council after complaints about the charity event.

The couple only have licence to hold a shoot twice a week at the 100 acre site and had to seek special permission from Wealdon District Council for an extra day to hold the event.

Last year the couple raised £1,700 for the local school, Fletching Infants, and they hope to raise more this year for the British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Mr Kerwood is angry that despite his support for local causes some residents tried to block the event.

The 49-year-old said: “I will not let people win on something like this. I have got annoyed mainly because the money is going to the Poppy Appeal, which is a really good charity.

“It is a few very people trying to stop something that is well supported.

“These people are professional complainers but we have not backed down.”

Mr Kerwood belives that the complaints are related to mooted plans to extend the shooting range in Northall Lane into an Olympic standard facility for his daughter.

The 22-year-old won gold in the double trap event at the 2002 Commonwealth Games at just 15 and finished 16th at the Beijing Olympic Games.

He said: “Since we put in planning permission we have had more complaints than we have had in the last 23 years.”

A spokeswoman for the council said: “In recent years, Wealden District Council has permitted one additional charity shoot each year organised at Northall Farm.

“These have been permitted so long as the Parish Council and local residents are advised that it will be taking place.

“The council has taken the view that as these events are held to raise funds for local charitable purposes, it would be inappropriate to take a heavy-handed bureaucratic approach.

“In past years the charity shoots have supported the Parish Council's Bonfire Society, local toilet facilities for the disabled and local hospices. This year's event will raise money for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.”

For more details on the charity shoot visit www.northallcpc.co.uk or call 01825 791783.