Archer Alison Williamson gets tour of RAF Shawbury

Shropshire archer Alison Williamson, who this month will be competing in her sixth Olympics, has been given a tour of RAF Shawbury as a thank you for helping open a new £5.8 million sports complex.

Ms Williamson officially opened the Jubilee Hall Sports and Fitness Centre at Shawbury in a ceremony earlier this year.

She was joined by fellow archer Tom Barber at the airbase yesterday, where the pair were also taken on a helicopter flight.

They met with Station Commander, Group Captain Chris Luck, before visiting the aircraft maintenance and storage unit.

They then visited the old aircraft at the Assault Glider Trust where they found out about the lives of the glider crews. They also got to view the Central Air Traffic Control School's visual simulator and control tower after having lunch with station personnel.

The sports complex, which has taken about a year to build, includes a fitness suite, badminton and squash courts.

Squadron Leader Neil Hope said: "We were pleased to be able to show Alison and Tom around RAF Shawbury and explain, in greater depth, what the base does.

"The station wishes Alison, in her sixth Olympics, their utmost support and best wishes in her quest for a medal in London."