Archery is the first sport to be hosted by Parliament and among the MPs and peers who lined up on Speaker's Green to take their turn were Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt (pictured) and his opposite number, Ivan Lewis.

The tournament celebrated Archery GB's 150th anniversary and Commonwealth Games double gold medallist Nicky Hunt was on hand to give advice.

Huw Irranca-Davies MP, the parliamentary sponsor for archery, organised the event, continuing his long-standing involvement with one of the UK's fastest-growing sports.

"It's a pleasure to host members of the archery community and the enthusiasm of the parliamentarians makes it all worthwhile," said Irranca-Davies.

"Archery has much going for it: it is a sport anyone of any ability can take part in and take part in together."

Hunt also lauded the sport.

"It's great fun and I've really enjoyed another opportunity to have a go at archery," he said, having also tried the sport during a visit to Archery GB's Lilleshall headquarters earlier this year.

"Once again, doing it reminds me of how good the top international archers are.

"We struggle to cope over 10 metres – they are continuously consistent from 70m and I am full of admiration for their skill."

Labour's Hilary Benn was another to take part and he said: "It's great fun and I really enjoyed myself. Curiosity about what was going on out here prompted me to wander over and I'm delighted I did."

The competition was won by Conservative MPs Robert Goodwill, who represents Scarborough and Whitby, and Karl McCartney, Lincoln, who both received £250 ($398/€285) to donate to a local archery club after each scoring 51 points.

Archery GB chairman Dave Harrison said: "It's been fantastic. I cannot thank enough Huw Irranca-Davies, for organising the event, and the Speaker, for hosting it."

With more than 30,000 participants across the UK, archery is looking to make the most of the London 2012 Olympic Games to enhance its image.

It recently came top of an AXA survey that asked youngsters for the Olympic sport they would most like to take up.

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