BOWMAN Stuart Farnworth is proving to be the town's shooting star after winning a place in the Lancashire archery squad. The 27-year-old, a member of the Deane Bowmen Club based at Eagley CC, has earned his reward after spending hours on the practice field.

He took up the sport four years ago when a friend persuaded him to try his hand and he has been hooked ever since.

"It was great to be called up, I was not expecting it so soon," he said. "Lancashire have a good squad and it is hard to get in the team, so the effort I have put in must have paid dividends." Stuart, from Horwich, has been training six days a week and probably trains more than anyone else in the club. I just love it. I am keen so I train most nights."

Stuart came to the attention of the selectors when he won a small friendly competition at Southport last year and has finished third and fifth in events this year.

He will represent Lancashire in a seven man team against Cheshire and Warwickshire. Each archer shoots three dozen arrows at 90m, 70m, 50m and 30m.

Stuart says that technique is vital and has fine tuned his performance with recent coaching to help him step up to county level.