The record, which was set by double Olympic gold medallist Malcolm Cooper in 1989, was beaten by the 20-year-old from Harlow during his qualification round of 1168 and final of 99.1, earning his 6th place overall.

Team Leader 2012 London Phil Scalan said: "Cooper was a real beacon to the shooting world, so for James to have beaten his record is really exciting.

"It shows James is on the right track and the competition for a place in the men's rifle at 2012 is really hotting up."

Huckle, who won four medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India and is funded through the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme, has two further World Cup events left in his 2011 calendar- Fort Benning, USA and Munich, Germany- at which he will hope to secure an Olympic quota place for his discipline.

Huckle's first experience of shooting was at the age of 14 when he used an old air rifle belonging to his father to fire at cans at the bottom of his garden.

After joining a local air rifle club his talent became obvious and he is now a medal prospect for the Games.

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