Children from Brecon and Radnorshire have taken part in a national rifle competition, winning a number of medals, thanks to efforts of local Scout groups.

Children across the UK have this year been able to enter as representatives of their schools to take part in the UK National Air Rifle Competition, shooting over a 6YD distance, promoted by British Shooting.

Scout groups from the local area stepped forward and provided equipment with qualified instructors to allow the children to represent their schools.

Weeks of training were arranged in local Scout huts to allow the children to improve their skills.

The two Scout areas initially entered 35 children to the Wales and West Midlands Regional Qualifiers achieving significant success in all competitions and resulting in a strong team of 24 children taking part in the National Final on Wednesday February 9.

The final was held at Chase Leisure Centre near Cannock, north of Birmingham. Most of the finalists travelled the day before and slept in a Scout hut loaned for the night, with others travelling very early on the day of the event.

Comments of appreciation from parents and schools have been overwhelmingly positive.

The children achieved a significant medal haul for their schools:

UK NATIONAL JUNIOR Gold – Leo Maglaras, Crickhowell High School

UK NATIONAL SENIOR Bronze – Oliver Smith, Ysgol Calon Cymru - Llandrindrod Campus

WALES REGIONAL JUNIOR Silver – Leo Maglaras, Crickhowell High School, Bronze – Mia Hodge, Ysgol Cribarth, Abercrave

WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL JUNIOR Gold – Amelia Wilkinson, Wigmore School, Wigmore

WALES REGIONAL INTERMEDIATE Gold – Cellan Vaughan, Crickhowell High School, Silver – Oliver Jones, Crickhowell High School, Bronze – Rhiannon Beaty, Crickhowell High School

WALES REGIONAL SENIOR Silver – Alice Waggett, Crickhowell High School

WALES REGIONAL TEAMS Gold - Crickhowell High School – Cellan Vaughan, Alice Waggett, Oliver Jones, Silver - Crickhowell High School – Rhiannon Beatty, Anna Peltor, Freddie Cloke, Bronze - Crickhowell High School – Marnie Carleton, Lewis Chatfield, Leo Maglaris