A South Essex marksman is on target for his first shot at international glory at the tender age of 16.

Ben Miller has been added to the Great Britain squad and is in line to compete at three big tournaments in the coming season.

Ben Miller - has his sights set on making a success of his time with the England squad Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

He will go to the World Cup in Spain, September's World Championships in Cyprus and the European Championships in the Czech Republic in July.

It represents great progress for the South Fambridge youngster, who began shooting game on his grandfather's Little Wakering farm before switching to target shooting barely a year ago.

Father Dave said: "He just used to shoot a few clays for something to do on a Saturday morning, then someone came along and said he had a natural ability.

"That turned out to be Jimmy Mear, a UK Olympic coach, and he took him for free and helped him work at it."

Under Mear's guidance Ben has risen quickly through the British rankings, claiming the National Junior championships last September.

At that event he achieved a good enough score to earn his place in the national side for 2003.

Published Tuesday, January 28, 2003

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