CLAY pigeon shooters may have fired their final round after council planners threatened a club with a £20,000 fine.

Peter Duffield, boss of Dartford Gun Club, was told by Dartford Council he must quit using land on Dartford Marshes by May 8 as he was in breach of planning laws.

The council claims the club installed shooting shelters, portable buildings and pathways without planning permission.

During the past four months the council's planning enforcement team warned Mr Duffield he would face prosecution and a fine if he continued to use the section of his land.

But the 750-member club, which has operated off Joyce Green Lane for 30 years, ignored the warnings so the notice was issued on May 3.

The club is fighting the notice and claims saying because the built-in features have gone unchallenged for 10 years it can legally continue.

Mr Duffield declined to comment.

A council spokesman said: "The club has taken advantage of its secluded location on the marshes to by-pass important planning regulations."