A MEMBER of Leominster Rifle and Pistol Club who only took up shooting two-and-a-half years ago won an unprecedented number of trophies and medals at the National Small Bore meeting in Bisley.

Zara Roberts won a total of 13 trophies and plates in addition to another 15 special medals.

Her success is such that it is believed that no competitor has ever taken such a haul before.

"Particularly given that it was my first year taking part in the week long championship, I am totally overwhelmed by the extent of my achievements and the quantity of trophies which I have obtained," said Roberts, who lives near Ludlow.

"Success of this magnitude at this Championship has been acknowledged by many, and it has been rumoured that in the running of this championship no competitor has even taken such a haul.

"I had an email from Michelle Smith, who won the British Prone 2015 at Bisley, saying that in 20 plus years she had never known anyone who had achieved so much, especially as it was my first year there.

"I definitely got noticed by a lot of people."

As well as winning the Eley final for the second successive year, Roberts also triumphed in the weekend aggregate and the Championship aggregate, which saw her win all seven parts as well as the overall championship.

The 23-year-old was also named Leading Lady of the meeting for her class.

"I was just happy to come away with anything so to win so many trophies was amazing," said Roberts, who has since returned her trophies for safe keeping at Bisley.

"A lot of people shoot at Bisley so it is an unbelievable achievement.

"I certainly didn't expect to be the leading lady in my class."

Roberts' success is even more impressive when you consider that she has had to contend with a number of rare and complex medical problems.

She has Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, which causes a large increase in heart rate, and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, an inherited connective tissue syndrome.

"Very few people have them and it can be quite severe with their symptoms," said Roberts.

"It has been a real struggle to get to this point, but I am overjoyed with my success."

Roberts' goal is now to be selected for the Commonwealth Games which are being held at Gold Coast City in Australia in 2018.

"I am currently on a training plan towards representing my country at national and international level shooting matches and as part of Team England, I am also under selection for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018," she said.

Roberts is a qualified accountant and says she strives to be the best.

"Aside from being a top level athlete, I am extremely hard working, enthusiastic and determined individual," she said.

"I have always been interested in shooting sports but I never took part.

"I therefore joined Leominster Rifle and Pistol Club two-and-a-half years ago and it's just progressed from there."