THE Glorious Twelfth got off to a promising start in most areas, with plenty of grouse in strong condition despite the June downpours.

The Moorland Association reported that during the laying season, the dry, warm weather gave most moorland managers and owners reason to be optimistic. Despite the mixed weather since, most moors were expecting moderate to good bags.

Lindsay Waddell, chairman of the moorland branch of the National Gamekeepers' Organisation and head keeper for Raby Estates in upper Teesdale, said: "It looks like it's going to be quite a decent year. Some places are a little bit better than others, but on the whole it's a good year with some good bags expected.

"I would expect and hope that most people will fulfil their shooting programme and keep all the hotels and everybody else quite busy," he added.

Shooting began yesterday and continues today and for most of next week, making it one of the busiest starts to the season for a number of years.

In the North Pennines, centred on Stanhope, large broods hatched during May, but they have diminished through cold and rain. Keepers said that the hatching season had lasted much longer than usual, with a clutch of seven eggs hatching as late as July 24.

Reports centred on Alston were good, with numbers potentially matching last year's season.

Numbers in the Yorkshire Dales seem to be divided between good to the north of the A684 and patchy and disappointing to the south, even though that area was not badly affected by the June rain.

Nidderdale moors initially reported a very strong start to the breeding season, with hopes of a good year. However, prospects have fallen back and an average year is predicted.

But the North York Moors are looking good, and expect to be up on last year