A YOUNG archer has struck gold after beating older competitors in a national competition.

Teenager Liam Ridge scored an impressive 517 out of a possible 600 points in a 60-arrow shootout in a national contest hosted by the Archers of Bridlington and Burton Agnes.

One of the youngest competitors, the 16-year-old, of Northallerton, took on bowmen in the under-18s category and landed all of his arrows in either the inner gold or red rings. He led the competition throughout and took gold by five points.

“I knew I had been performing well in the indoor competition so I was quite confident,” said Liam, a sixth-former at Northallerton College who has been competing for the past three years.

“But the scoreboard broke down and I didn’t know until it was announced that I had won, which I was delighted about.”

Liam is coached at his local club, Thirsk Bowmen, and he uses a 32lb pull, 16-string, aluminium, Recurve bow.

“When I first started my arms used to really ache but I’ve got used to it and don’t even get nervous because I enjoy archery so much,” he said.

He is hoping his success will bring him to the attention of Team GB so he can fulfil his dream to represent his country one day at a future Olympics.

“My coach seems to think that I am developing well enough to one day compete at the highest level,” he said.