NATIONAL Lottery funding has enabled more visually impaired students at The Royal National College for the Blind to take part in archery classes.

The £2,500 boost from the Big Lottery Fund will provide new equipment including arrows and different sized bows.

The archery classes help to boost people’s mental wellbeing and confidence, and improve balance and upper body strength.

Barry Morris, Duke of Edinburgh co-ordinator at the Royal National College for the Blind, said: “We’re so pleased to receive this National Lottery grant which has provided us with equipment so we can offer archery classes to more of our students.

"Our new bows are designed for different strengths so people of any ability can have a go. It’s a really social sport and helps build our students’ confidence and self-esteem, making them realise their potential and that they can do the same activities as somebody fully sighted. As a bonus, our archery classes support students to achieve their Duke of Edinburgh Award.”