SIDDINGTON archer Phoebe Pine is remaining calm after her latest success put her firmly in the frame for Paralympic selection.

Phoebe, 18, has recently been selected to represent Archery GB at the European Para Archery Championships in France.

She fought off fierce competition at a selection day in Lilleshall, Shropshire towards the end of last month.

At the four-day event she hit the qualifying criteria for the European tournament by scoring 140/150 in the compound category.

Phoebe was born with spina bifida, a condition whereby the spine does not develop properly, but in archery she has found a sport in which she can flourish – she shoots perched on a stool – and is hopeful of reaching the game’s pinnacle.

On the possibility of going to Rio 2016, the Cirencester College student said: “It would be nice but there is a long way to go.

“I’ve only been shooting for three years so I’ll try my best. I won’t stress about it.”

Phoebe comes across as remarkably composed when discussing her bright future.

After the European Championships she will be entered into two other selection shoots for the Paralympics.

Phoebe’s mother Alison said: “We are incredibly proud of everything she has achieved in such a short space of time.

“We hope she’ll make it to a Paralympics at some stage in her career but we are taking it one competition at a time.”

Alison believes archery has given Phoebe a lot in life. She said: “It’s important for children with a disability to find something they are good at to give them a sense of confidence.”

Alison was also full of praise for Phoebe’s club, Deer Park Archers, saying: “The amount of support they’ve given Phoebe has been incredible, I can’t praise them highly enough.”

Roger Crang, club development officer at Deer Park Archers, which is based in Shurdington, said: “Phoebe has achieved a perfect balance between independence and openness to support – two of the essential characteristics if you want to get to the top.

“Despite a series of successes, Phoebe has remained grounded but at the same time clear on what she wants to achieve, which is certainly realistic.

“She may well be selected for the Rio Paralympics team but that will depend on how she performs over the next few months. Given no mishaps, Tokyo in 2020 looks a strong possibility.

“Either way Phoebe, her support team and everyone at Deer Park Archers knows that she has already come a long way and has the potential to go all the way.”

For now Phoebe is concentrating on the European Para Archery Championships which take place from April 2-10 at Challans in France.