A Luton family is celebrating success in the National Field Archery Championships, writes Nigel Canham.

Tony Vowden, a 49-year-old farrier, won the gents' barebow (recurve without sights) class and his 17-year-old daughter Rachel, a former Teignmouth Community College student, finished second in the ladies' bowhunter (compound without sights).

His other daughter, 19-year-old Abigail, also did well in the ladies' barebow but just missed out on the medals.

The competition was held at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre, Coventry, on October 21 and 21.

Rachel, a former junior champion who has just moved up to the seniors, said: 'I'm really really pleased to have won as in the juniors there are far fewer competitors.

'It was very scary being up against all these women who seem to know what they're doing, and I was using a new bow as well.'

Proud mum Sheron said the family had been involved with the sport ever since she bought her husband an archery course as a birthday present 11 years ago.

They practice on their 11-acre smallholding near Ideford.

'He's finally made it to champion,' she said of her husband before adding: 'They're all stars really aren't they.'