A mother and daughter – who both work at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds – are jetting off to South Africa to compete in the World Field Archery Championships.

Karen Pinches and daughter Natasja are avid archers, and compete regularly in both the European and world championships.

Karen will compete in the female adult barebow category, while Natasja will compete in the female adult freestyle unlimited category.

Natasja has recently joined her mum at West Suffolk Hospital after finishing a beauty course at college, and is a healthcare assistant working in the eye treatment centre.

She said: “I actually did an anatomy and physiology module in my college course and found it really interesting – I find the eyes really interesting too now I work in the eye treatment centre.

“Everyone has been so welcoming to me, and they say I’m part of the furniture now.”

Karen, an assistant practitioner, said: “It’s probably going to be over 30 degrees in Potchefstroom, in the north-west of South Africa where the competition is going to be held, so the conditions are going to be challenging to compete in.

“We’ll participate on four different courses over five days – in both ‘field’ and ‘hunter’ rounds, where targets are placed at even or uneven distances away from the archer, and also in an animal round where you shoot animal-shaped targets.

“We’ve never been to South Africa, so can’t wait to see the country and compete against people from all over the world.

“We’re hoping to bring back some medals to Suffolk, so watch this space.”

The duo will take part in the championships from October 5-13.