ARCHERS in Tavistock have hit the target with the award of a grant to purchase bows, arrows and plastic 3D targets to encourage beginners to take up the sport.

Tavistock Company of Archers have been awarded £5,000 to buy bows and arrows for training and life-size 3D animal targets for field archery events.

Tavistock Company of Archers which meets regularly in the Pannier Market, is one of 151 community groups and organisations in the South West who have been given an Awards for All grant in the pre-Christmas round of lottery funding.

Terry Beaver, committee member, said the group which now has around 60 members, was ?delighted? to have received the award.

?The intention is to encourage more people to come along and make the sport more accessible for disabled people,? he said.

Mr Beaver said the new equipment would probably not arrive until February, as it had to be ordered from the United States, with the 3D animal targets, which include plastic replica deers, lions and bison, specially made in Illinois.

Mr Beaver said other archery groups in the South West had recently replaced their old equipment with newer items, courtesy of lottery funding, and this latest award would allow Tavistock to have up-to-date equipment and facilities.

Sampford Courtney Village Hall management committee has also scooped £850 to publish a history of the parish, and First Buckland St Andrews Scout Group have been awarded £520 to buy new camping equipment.

?There is high demand for funding and the competition is strong so I am delighted for the groups who have been successful,? said Steve Barriball, senior awards officer for the South West region.

A total of more than £480,000 was awarded to South West applicants in this latest round of grants.

?The Awards for All scheme is about getting Lottery money to ?grass roots? groups and organisations with grants between £500 and £5,000,? said Mr Barriball.

He said the awards supported projects which extended access and participation and increased skills and creativity.

To apply for an Awards for All grant telephone 0845 600 2040 or for an application form visit the website at http://www.awardsforall.org.uk">www.awardsforall.org.uk