FAMILIES were still in the London 2012 spirit watching Olympic archers in Oxford before having a go themselves.

The 2012 National Series Finals took place at Christ Church Meadows yesterday. Oxfordshire families were able to watch the athletes in action before trying out the sport for themselves in have-a-go sessions.

The competition was won by Larry Godfrey, 36, who came ninth at London 2012 and will fly out to Tokyo in three weeks for the World Cup Finals.

He said: “It has been a great day in a fantastic venue. I am shooting well and it was good preparation for the finals.

“Normally after the Olympics you stop and have a rest period, but I needed to keep strong for six weeks0 and this was great for that.”

It was the first time Mr Godfrey, from Bristol, had won the competition.

Many of the young people who had-a-go – with the help of experts from Oxford Archers – were captivated by the sport and hoped to take it up.

Abielle Hallas, 16, of Abingdon, said: “It has been really good. It is quite a calming but exciting sport and it has been pretty cool watch it.

“I am definitely going to find out more information about archery now.”

Katie Lawrence, 15, who lives near Burford, said: “I have never done it before and it is a lot harden than you think it would be.

“The string is really tight and you have to pull it a lot harder than you would think, but it has been good fun.

“It is really good that they have got something for us to try right next to the professional people doing it.”

Jason Holliday, 42, of Thame, visited the event with his wife, Claudine, 37, and children Lucy, five, and Florence, three.

He said: “The kids love trying new things and having a go. It has been brilliant.”

Oxfordshire Sports Partnership sports development officer Tristan Hale said: “It has been a fantastically successful day.

“We know Oxford is a destination place but this shows it can really deliver on events and provide a great setting for all sorts of sports.”