Despite Britain’s Aaron Heading narrowly missing out on a medal on a thrilling final day, Britain showed that they could compete with the best in the world and delighted the home crowd with some outstanding individual performances.

As well as Heading’s superb fourth place finish, Elena Allen claimed bronze in the ladies skeet while Peter Wilson finished fifth place finish which Underhill believes bodes extremely well for the Olympics in just over two years time.

He said: "The event has been three years in the planning and has been a great success. 

"As well as Aaron’s great result, we have had top level shooting of the highest calibre with splendid performances by the British team.

"Elena Allen (pictured left) won the bronze in the ladies skeet and Peter Wilson made it through to the final of the men’s double trap, finishing fifth.



"It is a great stepping-stone in the run up to the London 2012 Olympics as we have given invaluable experience to our athletes, our referees and our jury members.

"I really would like to thank UK Sport from all in British Shooting, home and abroad, for their most generous financial and technical support, without which this event would just not have happened.

"I only hope that we have repaid their trust in us, both with our performances on the field and with our management of the event as a whole."

Franz Schreiber, the executive director of the International Shooting Sport Federation, said: "The preparation for the event has been excellent and the competition has been very smooth, so everyone is very pleased and happy.

"This event has been well organised and we have had excellent participation, so this is good preparation for the London 2012 Games."

Dorset has benefited from an estimated £1.3 million from hosting the tournament as the teams stayed locally in three main hotels with over 2,078 bed nights.

Southern Counties has served over 400 meals a day, sold over 1,500 bottles of water, over 200 iceberg lettuces, over 1,500 baguettes with their fillings and 1,000 burgers while they have a policy of sourcing locally whenever possible.

The British shooters admitted that they were delighted to be competing in front of a home crowd in preparation for London 2012.

Wilson, Britain’s number one double trap, said: "It was a fantastic event at a great venue.

"I was really pleased that I reached the final, shot a personal best on my home turf and am over the moon with my performance.

"It is a really good stepping stone on my way to the London 2012 Games."

Heading added: “It was great to have such a fantastic reception from the crowd in the stadium and I could really feel the vibe."

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