Video and pictures: Archers arrowing in on Olympic dreams at Shropshire training camp

The county has been a training ground for the Great British para-archery squad for decades, delivering world champions and Paralympic gold medallists.

The core squad, made up of 15 archers, is now putting in the hours at Lilleshall National Sports Centre in the run up to the European Para-Archery Championships which will be held in France next month.

The team has also secured nine places to go to the Paralympics in Rio later this year and is hoping to secure further places during the competition at Saint Jean de Monts, taking place between April 2 and 10.

Travelling from as far as Scotland and London, they train several times a week in all weather conditions at the national sports centre near Newport, which has both indoor and outdoor archery ranges.

Michael Peart, who has been ranked second in the world in compound archery and enjoyed a 20 year international shooting career, took up the role of head coach for the squad in 2013.

"It's an exciting time heading towards a big global event," said the 39-year-old who lives in Hadley.

"At the world championships last year in Germany we picked up six medals - a gold, two silver and three bronze.

"We are doing really well at the moment."

The archers, whose ages range between 15 and 59, use two different types of bows to shoot arrows at speeds of over 200mph.

A compound bow is a modern bow that uses a levering system, usually of cables and pulleys, to bend the limbs and targets are set 50 metres away.

The recurve bow, which is aimed at a target 70m away, is a bow with limbs that curve away from the archer when unstrung.

Mr Peart said: "We have a very diverse team. There are a wide range of disabilities. Sometimes it's illness, sometimes it's from birth and sometimes it's caused by an accident.

"Sometimes when your life is turned upside down, maybe you've lost your normal hobbies, some people look for a new adventure.

"If you have dedication and persistence, it is a sport where you can have a long and successful career.

"It's so much a skill sport - the art of holding the bow still, the draw, it's about control."

At the 2012 London Paralympics, the squad representing Great Britain picked up a silver and gold medal.

Hoping to head to this year's Paralympics in Rio is John Walker, who is in a wheelchair following a motorbike accident in 2011.

He became a world champion when he picked up a gold and silver medal at last year's World Archery Para Championships.

The 41-year-old, of Newport, said he decided to take up para-archery after watching Matt Stutzman compete in the 2012 Paralympics for the American team.

He said: "I'm ex-armed forces. I was a very good shot and have a keen eye. I wanted to take up archery because it was a challenge.

"I joined a club and it's gone from strength to strength."

Mr Walker, who is hoping to be picked to compete in this year's Paralympic Games, said: "I love being in competition.

"I can't wait to get in the arena. It would mean everything to be picked to go to Rio. My goal is to get two gold medals."

Another Paralympic hopeful is Jodie Grinham, of Donnington, who was born with no fingers and half a thumb on her left hand and problems with her left elbow and shoulder.

She joined the squad more than a year ago.

The 22-year-old said: "My dad did archery and I used to watch but I wanted to have a go and I love it.

"I'm going to the European championships. I'm really excited. I'm here five to six days a week and I also go to the gym four to five times a week."

The squad also has volunteers who retrieve arrows from the targets during matches and is looking to recruit more people to help.

Anyone who can spare a few hours of their time should email katy.cumming@archerygb.org