A SWINDON shooter is counting gold after a successful clay-pigeon competition in South Africa recently Tony Manvell, owner of Wiltshire Rod and Gun Shop on Victoria Road, won in his category ahead of 50 rivals from around the globe.

On top of this, he was part of the Great Britain Veterans team which picked up the top prize at the event which was held close to Johannesburg.

He said: “I am completely and utterly thrilled with how everything went. I have won quite a few competitions while I have been shooting but none of them compare to this.

“This is a world competition and there were some serious shooters there so I am very proud with how everything went.

“In total I had five trophies so getting them back through customs was interesting. I decided I was never going to be able to get them through as they were but luckily you can take them apart.”

The category Tony takes part in is Compak Sporting, which is a form of clay-pigeon shooting.

He has been competing in the veteran category for a just under two years.

In the three-day individual competition he achieved a score of 191 out of 200.

“It was a really hectic few days but it was great fun and I am really pleased with how we performed,” said Tony.

“I had been shooting quite well in the few tournaments leading up the World Championships so I knew I had quite a good chance but with the quality of competitors there you never know. ”