The 26-year-old, who lives in Bletchley, is currently ranked 27th at the Olympic trap discipline in Great Britain and it's now his ultimate aim to represent his country in the sport at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

A fully qualified carpenter by day, Michael spends most of his time working locall.

But he first discovered clay pigeon shooting some four years ago and went on to spend every Sunday morning practising at his local shooting club in Drayton Parslow.

Now shooting regularly at Nuthampsted Shooting Grounds, near Royston, Michael has risen through the GB rankings.

He is also set to compete in a number of further competitions over the next few months which should hopefully see him continue to progress through the ranks, and one day even represent his country at the highest level of the sport.

Michael's next goal is to attain enough sponsorship to enable regular coaching lessons and continued attendance at both county and Great Britain selection shoots across the country.

"Shooting is sometimes considered a rather irresponsible pastime by some," said Michael.

"But we never shoot anything live and the sport is a really enjoyable way of socialising and meeting new people."