Long-distance archer Barry Groves is a victim of his own success. For while he can shoot an arrow that would reach from Carfax Tower to Magdalen Bridge, it's his huge range that could prove his downfall.

He's in danger of missing the chance of a shot at the world championships - because he's run out of practice space.

The 62-year-old latter-day Robin Hood is a world and British title-holder and can fire an arrow more than half a mile.

But he needs a huge area to practise and has run out of options. Instead he can only use the experience he gets in compet- itions.

Barry, of Lyneham Road, Milton-under-Wychwood, used to practise at the nearby Lyneham golf course. But he is now simply too good.

He said: "When I first started I was shooting about 500 yards, which was no problem at the golf course because I was only shooting over four fairways and down a fifth.

"Now I would shoot across the golf course and right across the village behind it as well, so it is a little bit dangerous."

His search for a bigger area led him to contact the RAF to ask if he could use one of its airfields. He was allowed to use RAF Benson for a while but has since been given the Spanish Archer - the El Bow.

Last weekend he won two gold medals and set a British record by shooting an arrow 914 yards with a 60lb bow at the British Flight Archery competition - where archers aim for distance rather than targets - at RAF Church Fenton in Yorkshire.

He said: "I need somewhere big enough where the grass is mown so I don't lose my arrows. When I asked the RAF they said no because they were worried I might kill someone. "But their airfields are enclosed and are not public property. If anyone was in the way I would see them."

RAF spokesman Flt Lieut David Roe said: "Perhaps he could ask again at a disused airfield, such as RAF Little Rissington in Gloucestershire, or he could write to the MoD for permission.

"I don't think he would have much luck at an operational airfield. We would have to close it off completely while he's there because you can't guarantee that there is no-one walking around.

"An arrow doesn't know the direction it is going in and could be quite lethal."

Anyone who can help should contact Barry on 01993 830974.

ARCHERS TAKE A BOW

*Norman archers proved crucial in the Battle of Hastings in 1066. They were the first to attack, and the English lost the skirmish when King Harold was hit in the eye by an arrow and died.

*English armies used them as a weapon until the second half of the 16th century.

*The greatest ever distance an arrow has been shot is more than 2,000 yards - about a mile and a quarter - in 1972 by American Harry Drake using a foot bow.

*There are four disciplines in archery: target, field, clout and flight.

*Remains of arrows have been found which date back to the Neolithic period.

*England's most famous archer is the legendary Robin Hood. He lived in Nottingham's Sherwood Forest in medieval times and used his archery skills to rob from the rich and give to the poor.

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