A multi-million-pound project has been launched to promote the Westcountry as a "premier destination" for country sports such as shooting and fishing.

The growing rural sector of the tourism industry is seen as a key area of the annual economy, attracting much-needed income throughout the quieter winter months.

Now a dedicated website will bring in-depth information about fishing, game and clay pigeon shooting, deer stalking, falconry and horse riding, all at the click of a mouse.

The Country Sports South West site also hopes to "inspire" a new generation of sportsmen to start out through a simple guide to shooting, fishing and riding – even offering tips on what to wear.

Annette Cole, senior country sports manager at the project, said: "The South West is well known for its fantastic coastline, but this project is about bringing the visitor experience inland, particularly outside the main tourism season, which will help to generate new tourism economies for the rural areas.

"The website is unique to the region and contains all the information visitors need to plan their country sports break, from fishing to shooting and riding, both for experienced and novice country sports visitors who are looking to try something new.

"There are lots of ideas including falconry, game cookery courses, night sea-trout fishing and taster days.

"The project is focused on our rural tourism product and we want to position the South West as a premier destination for country sports."

The website is part of a £1.6 million Rural Development Programme for England project over three years.

It is jointly funded by the European Union and the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs, in partnership with the British Association for Shooting and Conservation and the Westcountry Rivers Trust.

The website contains a list of accommodation where country sports are available on-site or nearby.

Robin Barker, whose company Services for Tourism runs the South West tourism awards, said the region enjoyed some of the best locations in the UK for hunting, shooting and fishing.

"It is a year-round activity and tends to attract higher spenders not limited by school holidays who appreciate what is best about this part of the world," he added.

One of the region's best- known country sports venues listed on the new website is the Arundell Arms Hotel, at Lifton, in Devon, famous for its food and 20 miles of exclusive fishing on the Tamar and its tributaries.

General manager Heather Measey said that, aside from the anglers, at least 30 shooting parties visited throughout the season to shoot pheasant, snipe, woodcock and duck, each with about eight guns.

"A lot of our guests are repeat visitors and much of our custom comes from word of mouth – it is growing every year," she added.

Malcolm Bell, head of VisitCornwall, said shooting parties were often "quite low-profile" but their contribution to the economy was "substantial".

"The beauty is that it is all-year-round and is worth twice as much because of the income it brings in the winter, so in terms of business viability, it is critical."