HOTSHOT Colour Sergeant Nigel Hodgson has made history by becoming the first soldier ever to hold all three military shooting championship titles at the same time.

Originally from Bolton, Nigel attended Smithills School until 1981 along with his wife-to-be Judith. They are now stationed at the Infantry training Centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire, with sons Sam and Ben.

Nigel still keeps his ties with his home town and is an honorary member of the Bolton NRP shooting club where he trains when visiting family and friends.

In June 2000, the Bolton Wanderers season ticket holder beat 90 other contestants to win the Army Service Pistol Championships which involved combat-style shooting.

This was followed by the Service Pistol Tickle trophy after he was crowned champion in a year-long competition for being the highest scoring soldier during the year.

And to complete the hat-trick Nigel was overall winner at this year's Army Target Pistol Championships which involved using air pistols and 9mm issued pistols for one-handed target shooting.

Now he is in training for this year's Service Pistol Championship and has been selected to compete in the United States Armed Forces Skill at Arms meeting as a member of the British Army Combat Shooting Team.

In last year's competition against 250 of the world's best military marksmen, Nigel achieved third place in an individual event but on his current form he should shoot straight into first place this year.