A sharp shooter who learnt her stuff at a Hounslow rifle range has set her sights on the Olympics after striking gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games.

Sheree Cox, who practises at Heston & Hounslow Rifle Club, in Green Lane, Hounslow West, won the 50m rifle event and took bronze in the 50m prone rifle last week at the prestigious championships taking place in India.

Not only did the 18-year-old, of Sunbury, have to contend with searing temperatures of up to 40C, she also had to put up with rats running around her hotel room when she first arrived in the city of Pune.

Proud dad Gary Cox said she and the rest of the family were 'ecstatic' about her success.

"We were all very satisfied with a bronze at her first multi-sport event and the gold came as a bit of a shock," he added. "She's in the prime spot for London 2012 but four years is a long time in sport."

Sheree picked up three As and a B in her A-levels this summer despite spending half the year competing abroad but plans to put her studies to one side to focus on the Olympics.

She hopes to travel to Sydney in January to compete in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival.