A WEST Devon shooter has expressed thanks to all those who voted and sponsored her to win the British Airways Great Britons competiton last month.

Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, Georgina Geikie from South Tawton, attended the competition when British Airways sponsored her return flight to the Oceanic Games in Australia.

The competiton was held at the Sydney International Shooting Range, the same venue used for the Olympic Games in 2000.

Georgina, who successfully claimed the silver medal at the competition, said the trip helped build her confidence.

She said: 'The event went really well and I am really chuffed, mainly because with the Commonwealth Games coming up next year in India, it was great to go a little bit further a field to compete.

'My main competitive in the Commonwealth Games are Australian, so it was fantastic to compete against them.'

Georgina, who celebrated her 25th birthday this week, also claimed Commonwealth bronze three years ago in Manchester.

She added: 'I've had little opportunity to shoot with my 22 pistol in the UK, so I was able to train at the venue two weeks prior to the Games.

'I've been selected for the pre Commonwealth Games and I very much hope to be selected for the games themselves next October, so fingers crossed.'

As part of their London 2012 sponsorship, British Airways will give away a £500,000 travel fund, offering 180 free flights a year until 2012 to talented individuals who demonstrate the values associated with the Olympic and Paralympic Games.