GRATEFUL shooting range bosses have handed over a cheque for £1,260 to Devizes firefighters who helped battle a blaze at the centre.

The cash raised at an open day to celebrate the re-opening of the Wiltshire Shooting Centre and Wiltshire Ballistics in Station Road will go to the Fire Fighters Charity.

Crew manager Richard Lake who helped battle the fire which started in the kitchen of the centre built into an old railway tunnel was delighted with the donation.

He said: "We joined in the open day and were very pleased to then get the donation."

The fire was difficult to tackle as firefighters had to carry heavy equipment to a difficult to reach back door.

A spokesman for the ranges said: "The centre was badly damaged following a kitchen fire. Since then the team at The Ranges worked tirelessly to get both the shop and the range open again.

"The open day was to celebrate an investment of over a quarter of a million pounds into the repair and renovation.

"The shop has benefited from a full rebuild, the 25yd range now has access to a members and seated viewing area, and is equipped with electronically controlled Intarso targets. Additionally the new 50yd range has been built, also fitted with Intarso targets and a seated viewing area."