AN exciting new sporting phenomenon is gripping enthusiasts in the Forest of Dean.

Archery Tag was devised in America in 2011 and has rapidly spread rapidly across the world. The sport is promoted as a pain-free alternative to paintball and is played in a similar fashion to Dodgeball, only with bows and foam-tipped arrows!

Adventure training specialists Positive Impact have brought the latest craze to the Dean after devising Archery Tag events for the Ministry of Defence. 

Tag enthusiast Andy Sharpe said: "We came up with the idea of providing weekly Archery Tag sessions for people in Cinderford in the hope of bringing the community together for something different.

“We started with a free taster session which not only proved to be successful, but enjoyable for those taking part.”

Archery Tag is played with teams of either five or six. It’s a fast-paced adrenalin rush that can be enjoyed by anyone of around age eight and upwards.

The organisation is holding regular sessions in Cinderford, the next being at the town’s leisure centre on Wednesday, February 1 at 7.30pm.

Mr Sharpe added: “We are now looking at taking Archery Tag to Freedom Leisure in Lydney and we are currently in negotiation with them to firm up details.”