Banff shooter Kay Copland set a new PB in her favoured event, the Prone, during the international Shooting Hopes under 21 event at Plzen, in the Czech Republic.

Her score of 595, one point better than her previous best set in 2007, earned her the silver medal and strengthens her chances of being selected for the Scottish team competing in this October's Delhi Commonwealth Games.

"I had set 594 on the same range in 2007 and I'd kept equalling it and coming up a point behind it which has been driving me a bit crazy, so it's nice to finally break it," said Copland, who arrived home Monday night.

"For Delhi you have to hit a score then show that you are consistent again and again. The Prone selection score is in the 580s, which I have been getting all the time. I have been consistent all year.

"I want to go to Delhi for the Prone but doing 3P (3 Positions) would be nice and another good challenge.*

"I only started 3P a year ago and I have made improvements this summer. It's getting easier, I'm getting stronger and knowing what to expect."

Coached by Donald McIntosh, Copland is supported by the Grampian Institute of Sport, part of sportscotland's institute network whose focus is on preparing Scotland's best athletes to perform on the world stage by providing high performance expertise.

"Shooting is more of a mental sport and the Prone event is pure concentration for 75 minutes. The Grampian Institute helps by organising Strength & Conditioning training and I get free access to the gym, which I use a lot. I get physio and nutritional advice.

"The Strength & Conditioning has made a lot of difference, especially with the 3P. When I took it up I struggled because it was such a change and the gun felt so heavy. I did the Strength & Conditioning and suddenly it felt so light and I had loads of core stability. It all clicked into place."

Meanwhile, at the weekend fellow Grampian Institute supported athlete, Jennifer McIntosh won her fist British Senior Championship at Bisley in the 3P; Neil Stirton won the men's title.