MORE than 50 young archers from across the North West gathered in Samlesbury for the Lancashire Archery Association Junior Outdoor Championship and Open Tournament .

The annual event was hosted by the Bowmen of Pendle and Samlesbury at their Nab’s Head Lane club.

County junior team organiser Joanne Proctor of Lytham St Annes said: “It was an excellent day. We had a very good turnout and all the Lancashire archers shot very well. They all had a great time.”

Archers aged between eight and 18, took part in a full day’s shooting, judged by Lorraine Morris, Philip Morris, Colin Mudd and Aaron Stansfield.

Among the winners were Pendle and Samlesbury’s Charlotte Hempsall, new member Hallie Boulton, Ethan Elmy of Blackburn Archery, and Liam Wyle of Blackpool Bowmen.

The team cup went to Pendle and Samlesbury archers Charlotte Hempsall, Lewis Imeson, Sarah Houghton and Martha Blinkhorn.

Club chairman Mark Blinkhorn said: “It was a very good day with a very high standard of shooting. The young archers did extremely well. They have to shoot 144 arrows during the day, which is tough going for anyone. We had excellent support from parents and friends and quite a few club members turned out to help throughout the day.

“This was the first time we’ve hosted a shoot on this scale and we were all delighted at how smoothly it went. We are looking forward to hosting similar events in future.”