FIELD archer Carol Ken-drick returned from a two-year absence to claim her seventh European gold at Dollar near Stirling.

The Worcester archery expert also claimed a bronze, her best finish, in the World Championships which were held at the same time.

There was also success for another Faithful City competitor with Glen Hardman taking the men's European gold.

Field archery takes place over a course with 28 different targets, between ranges of 11 and 80 yards, and competitors have four arrows and can score a maximum of 20 points if they hit the bull's eye.

For Diglis-based Kendrick it was a triumphant return to action after she had been forced to miss the World Championships in South Africa two years ago with a broken hand.

Her interest in the sport developed through medieval history and her participation in a medieval re-enactment group where she met her husband.

"My husband had been doing it since 1964 and although I didn't like it at first it was a case of if you can't beat them, join them," she said.

Three years after taking up archery in 1989 Kendrick won her first European gold and since then has established herself as Europe's number one.