FLORENCE Almond really hit the target when she entered a competition while she was on holiday in Blackpool.

She couldn't believe her eyes when she scooped the gold medal in archery, despite being confined to a wheelchair.

And Florence wasn't the only local winner. John Seddon, 37, who is also a wheelchair user, won the bronze medal in the same competition.

Florence, a great grandmother, from Malham Gardens, Morris Green, was one of 400 disabled people to be taken on holiday by the Red Cross charity to the Pontin's holiday camp.

Competitions were organised in a variety of sports including bowling and table tennis, involving disabled people from the Midlands to the North of Scotland.

There were also competitions in arts and crafts.

But it was the archery competition that brought out the best in Florence and John.

John, of Catherine Street West, Horwich, had tried his hand at archery before, at Bolton's Jubilee Centre.

But he didn't expect to win a medal and was delighted. He said: "I couldn't believe it. I didn't think I would win a medal so it was a lovely surprise."

The archery instructor told Florence that if she continued to practise she could compete "at a higher level".

"I was told I should get into a club for archery. I was very pleased to win the gold medal and I can't wait to tell the family. I don't think they will believe me."

Florence, like John, is a regular visitor to the Jubilee Centre, where disabled people can meet and enjoy a range of activities.

John became wheelchair-bound following a road accident when he was 19. He was in a coma for 13 weeks and when he recovered his balance and speech were affected. Florence has been in a wheelchair for seven years.

A spokesman for Red Cross said the annual holiday had been running for 26 years, as a donation to the charity from Fred Pontin himself.

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