A SOLDIER who is a crack shot with a bow and arrow has told how he first got involved with the sport.

The bow of today bears little resemblance to the longbow everyone associates with the legend of Robin Hood.

However the principles and skills remain the same and Chingford soldier Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Matt Steven-Fountain has mastered them.

The dead-eye soldier, who serves with the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME), shoots with the Army archery team in national competitions.

He joined up in 1991 and lives with his wife Alison and two daughters Emily and Amy.

He said: "I started archery in 1989 after watching longbow archers at Warwick Castle. It looked fascinating and I wanted to give it a try.

"I have recently returned from Iraq where I was teaching new Iraqi soldiers vehicle maintenance.

"Now I have taken over as secretary of army archery. I am lucky to have a very supportive wife who lets me spend weekends and lots of money on my sport.

"The army and my unit also allow me time for training and competitions and as secretary it falls to me to organise the events.

"My unit has also just supplied funds to start a local archery club."