Former Arsenal and England defender Sol Campbell has revealed that he has started a new hobby of shooting birds.

The 40-year-old, who retired from football in 2012, has admitted that he enjoys the "banter" and has already shot 30 birds this year.

"I've only just started really," Campbell told the Shooting Gazette. "My wife's family kept inviting me to shoot and I just didn't want to go, but since retiring from football I've had more time and I thought, let's get all the kit and practice.

"I do like the attire. I have all sorts of country clothing because we live in Northumberland as well as London. You need good quality gear.

"This year I shot about 30 birds - that was a mixture of birds. The banter was just lovely. As long as the birds end up on a dinner table and people are enjoying them, then that's fine."

Campbell also revealed in the interview that he has started training for coaching badges.