AN Etwall teenager whose boyhood hero was Robin Hood impressed England selectors as the only junior in a top archery competition in Shropshire.

Fifteen-year-old Thomas Taylor, who is a member of Pastures Company of Archers in Mickleover, competed against archers from Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland at the two-day Home Nations event at the National Sports Centre in Lilleshall.

He flew out to Belfast yesterday for the Junior Euronations Tournament, where he will compete against some of the best international archers.

"Thomas works very hard and hasn't had a free weekend since April," said dad Tony.

"We took him to the Sherwood Forest Visitors Centre at the age of five and brought him his first bow and arrow.

"We would make bows in the garden and, because he was so interested in archery, we booked him on to a beginners course in Spondon two years later.

"We moved to Etwall when Thomas was 10 and that's when he joined the Pastures Company in Mickleover.

"He currently holds the Derbyshire and East Midlands records for Under-18 archers and holds the two main National records for U-16 and U-18 archers.

"He is also on the GB Junior Development Squad. We're very proud of him.

"Maybe he could represent England at the Commonwealth Games one day. That would be lovely."

The John Port pupil is also seeking financial help. Anyone interested should email tonytaylor1953@yahoo.co.uk.