DAY'S PAINTBALL FUN

Waiting in a dark bunker, deep underground, we were briefed by our self-appointed captain that we were to run out, fire in the direction of the enemy camp and then get back behind our base and find cover.

The whistle screeched to the command 'Go, go, go, go, go' and I was bundled out onto the field of fire as if attempting a parachute jump from a dangerous height.

It was then I tried to remember all the good advice I'd been given earlier in the day. . .

We had been briefed by Scott, the head marshal for the site, who told us the paintball games would be played in cordoned-off areas of the forest surrounding the centre.

The land used to be an army training camp and to add to the sense of battle, concrete bunkers, stone buildings, HGV tyres, metal barrels and even a full-sized tank could be used for cover in addition to trees, bushes and netting.

We were warned that when we were out on the field under no circumstances should we take our masks off or risk having our eyes hit by a flying paintball!

Karl Lewis, a marshal at the centre said: "Safety is the most important thing at the centre as paintballing is one of the most dangerous sports.

"I mean, people are shooting each other with a gun. Stricter measures are beginning to be introduced such as padding and body armour."

If we were hit by a paintball during a game we were 'dead' and had to raise our hands in the air and walk to the edge of the field.

Those marked 'dead' could not be used as target practice and no-one should be shot at point-blank range without the option of surrender. These strict safety measures were at least reassuring.

Another confidence boost was that I was on a team of 16 composed entirely of ju-jit-zu specialists from a martial arts club in Milton Keynes.

Sadly, however, our opponents had an extra five players and had the further advantage of being police officers just my luck!

Mr Lewis said: "Those people that tend to do particularly well are those who are more sporty, but then again it can be surprising how people respond.

"You are put under a lot of pressure when you are paintballing it is the closest thing that most people will get to armed conflict."

The aim of the first game for both teams was to take a flag from the enemy camp and to return it to the team base.

Unfortunately I felt the sharp sting of a paintball in my side just 20 seconds after the starter whistle and so for the rest of the 10-minute game I huddled at the side with the other 'dead' players.

But despite the sore start I came into my own, became a fairly sharp shooter and after sliding down banks and crawling forward on my stomach through undergrowth and ditches, I wondered if I had what it takes to become a spy.

We played our games on six different fields with breaks for lunch, tea, coffee and energy drinks and it was superb.

The paintballs do sting and I left with bruises but it was the most fun that I can ever remember having and an experience that is incomparable to anything else before.

Mr Lewis added: "I tried the sport and had to get a weekend job marshaling so that I could play it as much as I liked. It is so just so intensive. I used to do track biking but that is nothing compared to this. The centre's motto is 'High enjoyment maximum adrenaline' and that just sums it up."

Finmere Paintballing Centre is one of a network owned by National Paintball Games, the biggest operator in the UK.

The site can be contacted on 01543 451455 or www.paintballuk.com