RAF Shawbury £6m sports complex opens

Prince William and Prince Harry both trained at the base

An Olympic archer has performed an unusual opening ceremony at a new £5.8m RAF sports complex in Shropshire.

Alison Williamson, who has competed at four Olympics, shot a volley of arrows as part of the event at the Jubilee Hall Sports and Fitness Centre at RAF Shawbury.

RAF Shawbury is the home of the Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS).

Prince William and Prince Harry both trained as helicopter pilots at the base.

The official opening was attended by HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO.

Robbie and Ann Brightwell (nee Packer), who both won medals at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, also took part in the ceremony.

It is the 15th anniversary of the DHFS basing itself at RAF Shawbury, which was first used as an air training base in 1917.

It currently provides helicopter training for all three of the armed services, along with air traffic control training.