Today - the Glorious 12th - marks the start of the shooting season, and new figures show that the shooting industry supports 4,400 jobs in the county and contributes £110m to the local economy.

The figures were compiled by the Public and Corporate Economic Consultants (PACEC) and published by the British Association of Shooting and Conservation (BASC) at the start of the shooting season.

And conservation chiefs are predicting a bumper season for game shooting, with bird populations expected to be high for the coming months.

Nationally it is estimated that there are 66,000 workers paid for by the shooting industry, with 13,900 of these full time jobs being held in the North of England.

Steve Woodhall, the BASC's regional officer for the North of England, said the financial benefits come not just from people paying to shoot, but from the knock on benefits for businesses in rural areas.

Poor weather can however take its toll on grouse populations, with 2001, 2002 and 2005 all being poor.

But Mr Woodhall said that hunters heading to moorland this season can expect a good year, with grouse populations very healthy.

He said: "It should be a good year. Last year was very successful and so far indications are that this year should be even better.

"The key to it all is to keep the habitat healthy by removing old birds and leaving more young birds behind, keeping the population stock strong for years to come."

He added: "Those who take part as well generally take part in sensible shooting, with the majority leaving a sensible amount of birds behind, again helping with the positive numbers of birds."

The grouse season last for just under four months, running from today until December 10.