A STOURPORT archer was on target for European gold for the second successive year.

Ron Harvey spent five days battling heavy rain, strong wind and treacherous terrain in Scotland to scoop top spot in the bowhunter recurve class in the European Field Archery Championships.

He had to hit targets at different distances on a gruelling two-mile course each day - and his aim was good enough to retain the title he won in Germany last year.

Now he is hoping to notch a special hat-trick next year after 35 years of the sport.

Mr Harvey, whose son Stephen was fourth in the compound unlimited class, said: "It's been a long time coming but I'd like to do it again next year - I enter a lot of events each year but this is the biggest."