Clarke (pictured above) was narrowly beaten to the gold medal by compatriot Danielle Brown, the reigning Paralympic champion.

But the 30-year-old has no regrets over the way things worked out for her in London.

"I think every athlete goes into an Olympics or Paralympics wanting a gold medal but I did not set that as my objective," she said.

"I set a lot of technical objectives, so to come home with a silver is fantastic and to go one better than Beijing, I could not have asked for more really.

"My semi-final was tough so I was really pleased to get through that as well as I did.

"In the finals it did mean we would have gold and silver which was incredible.

"If I'm going to lose to anyone, to lose to the reigning world champion, Paralympic champion and world record holder – there is no shame in that."

Clarke has been competing on the international stage for nine years and says she is looking forward to Rio 2016, where she may have the opportunity to add that elusive gold to her bronze and silver Paralympic medals.

Mel Clarke (left) and Danielle Brown pose with their London 2012 gold and silver medals 

She claimed, however, that she came to London with more in mind than just winning medals.

"I tend not to set medals as my only goal as if things do not go my way you fail from the beginning," she said.

"I focus on part of my shot or what I want to get out of the day.

"It is one hell of an opportunity that not many people are privileged to get and to come back with all the photos and memories was one of my big goals.

"It was great to be a part of the team.

"The support from ParalympicsGB and the gamesmakers was absolutely incredible."

Clarke began her archery career 16 years ago while running a Girl Guides group.

Mel Clarke (centre) in action at the London 2012 Paralympic Games 

After just playing for fun, she progressed to shooting at international level.

The 2005 world champion is focused on giving something back and last year got involved with the Sky Sport Living for Sport initiative.

The initiative involves athletes visiting schools and encouraging youngsters going through difficulties to turn their lives around through sport.

"I am starting my second year of it now and really enjoying it," Clarke says.

"I am on a couple of new schemes this year and it is a fantastic project for the kids and athletes involved.

"I'd like to continue long term, at the moment it is great and some of the responses I've had are brilliant."

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