SHOOTER James Bevis failed to regain the Geoff Partridge Memorial Trophy - after he was beaten by the bad weather.

The 36-year-old from Thruxton had hoped to claim back the title he had won for four successive years until 12 months ago.

However, Bevis said the hazardous driving conditions had stopped him from making the trip to Wolverhampton last Saturday.

“That’s first competition I’ve missed in nearly seven years,” said Paralympian Bevis, who won a bronze medal at London 2012.

“The weather wasn’t great and I had a chat with my manager, who said it was not worth risking the trip.

“My friend, Matt Skelhon also didn’t go but two of the lads shot 600 in the prone. “I would have been taking my girlfriend, Sarah and the two children and if I had bumped the car I would have missed some very important British training sessions.”

Great Britain marksman Bevis is now preparing for next month’s British Airgun Championships in Bisley, Surrey.

“I’ve got a big year coming up with lots of competitions and I stayed at home last weekend and had a very good training session.”