INSPIRED by watching the London Olympics air rifle shooting competition on television, West Devon woman Sharon Bartlett contacted the Okehampton Smallbore Club, as she wanted to try the discipline for herself.

She was welcomed by the club, began air rifle lessons last November and has loved it, having being 'bitten by the bug'.

Over the months she has progressed so well that in her first competition last weekend she was third in her Class C, with an average score of 500 for 60 shots – an excellent start to her shooting career.

This competition, a 10 metre air rifle and pistol open shoot with classes for all abilities, was held on Sharon's home ground of the Okehampton Smallbore Club's range over four days.

Organisers of the competition Bernard and Yvonne Rendle were delighted – both with Sharon's result and also because the event had drawn over 70 entries, from Wales to Hampshire, Cornwall and all counties in-between.

Helping to ensure the competition ran smoothly and was enjoyable for all, many thanks go to the scorers Pat and Paul Batten and in the kitchen, Di Johnson and Amanda Elliott.