A decision has been made by United Utilities to grouse shooting on its moorland holdings around Lancashire.

Bosses at the firm have confirmed shooting licences for several locations will not be renewed when current leases end.

Moors leased for grouse shooting include Brennand Fell, north of Dunsop Bridge, and Halsteads Fell, to the north east of Slaidburn, Longridge Fell, near Walker Fold, Boulsworth Moor, near Colne, and Worsthorne Moor, near Burnley.

Other locations like Anglezarke, near Chorley and sites in the Goyt Valley and Longendale Valley, near Glossop, would also be affected.

Water company officials say they will 'restore the company’s moors for nature, climate and people' but the British Association for Shooting and Conservation has labelled the move 'an ill-thought out distraction technique' which is doomed to failure.

A United Utilities spokesman said: “We made the decision some time ago not to issue or renew any leases on a long term basis on our catchment land where we own the sporting rights.

“This followed a review into the management of the land we own to ensure the best possible outcomes for water quality and we have been communicating this with stakeholders.”

Grouse shooting involves the hunting of red grouse. It is seen by some as a rural tradition in the UK, but has also been criticised by conservationists for degrading upland environments.

Luke Steele, executive director of Wild Moors, a non-profit organisation campaigning 'to protect and restore nature', welcomed the announcement.

He said: “The world is fast moving in a direction where restoring land for nature, carbon capture and people is at the forefront of tackling climate change and biodiversity loss.

“As England’s largest corporate landowner, United Utilities has risen to the challenge of creating a wilder and more diverse future for the uplands, and we commend the company for its decision to end grouse shooting on its moors. We now urge other landowners to follow on.”

The decision was announced at United Utilities' annual general meeting on Friday, following a review of its position initiated in March.

Kerry McCarthy, shadow climate change minister, posted on Twitter: "Great news – so much better for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, water management, and local nature lovers (not to mention the birds!)"