THE first shots have been fired at the new Charmouth Tunnel rifle range, which opened this week to the public.

The former road tunnel has been transformed into the Target Sports Centre, a world-class shooting facility with two ranges.

It was open for business on Monday after 11 months of construction work but the official opening will be held at the end of July, on a date yet to be confirmed.

Charmouth-based Clist Properties bought the tunnel in 2004 for £50,000 after it became redundant when the Charmouth bypass was built in 1991.

Owner Richard Clist has since been trying to find a suitable use for the structure and has spent ‘hundreds of thousands of pounds’ to convert it.

He said: “I’m delighted it’s finished. It’s been hard work, the guys here have worked so hard to get it to this stage and I’m grateful for that.

“This will encourage more people to the area. We are a tourist industry here so to be able to attract more people down to this neck of the woods is a good thing.”

The 25 metre and 50 metre ranges are over two levels, and the centre also has a café, a club shop including an armoury, training facilities with range safety officers and an observation area.

Both ranges are lined with steel to ensure safety and to eliminate noise impact outside the centre.

The facility has the backing of the UK’s two governing bodies for shooting – it is affiliated with the National Rifle Association, and the ranges were designed by Bisley.

It has now been recommended for approval as a centre of excellence to provide training facilities for the 2012 Olympic Games.

If approved by Sport England and the London 2012 Organising Committee, it would be the only centre of excellence in the south of England.

Mr Clist said: “There are about six centres throughout the country which have been recommended for approval and are deemed to be of a high enough quality to be approved for training facilities for the Olympics.

“There are a number of Olympians who have already been down and think it’s great.”

But while the centre is attracting national and international interest, Mr Clist insists it is very much a facility for local people too.

“It was an ideal opportunity for everyone in the area to enjoy the sport and anyone can come and have a go,” he said. “This is not an elitist sport.

“Shooting is a recognised Olympic sport and I think we have got an opportunity now whereby we, and our children, should be able to try every single sport that is available in the Olympics.”

Charmouth Brownies and Scouts have been invited to have a go and local schools and youth clubs have also expressed an interest. Mr Clist said: “It gives kids something different to do, something to focus on. It’s very controlled and safe.”

Local artwork will also be displayed in the café, starting with work from Axminster artist Ricky Romain.

The centre may be completed but Mr Clist is planning further developments at the site. He said: “There are more plans in the pipeline for further expansion to combine with additional Olympic disciplines.”

The facility is already suitable for disabled people.

It is open from 10am to 8pm on Monday and Friday, from 10am to 5pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, from 10am to 10pm on Saturday, and closed on Wednesday.

For information visit thetunnel.co.uk or call 01297 560049.