A champion marksman who lived his whole life in Kidderminster has died at the age of 89.

John Sedgley Bennett was the former secretary of Kidderminster Rifle Club and founder member of Stourport-on-Severn Rifle & Pistol Club.

Mr Bennett was awarded Wyre Forest District Sports Council Appreciation Award in 2004 after being secretary of Kidderminster Rifle Club for 50 years.

He was a ''Life'' member of the National Rifle Association, London & Middlesex Rifle Association and British Commonwealth Rifle Club at Bisley in Surrey.

Mr Bennett first went to Bisley in 1952, represented Great Britain & England in the 1970s and1980s.

He appeared in the final of ''Her Majesty the Queen's Prize'' at Bisley on 11 occasions.

In his veteran years he represented Great Britain Veterans Rifle Team and won the NRA Queen's Veterans Trophy at Bisley in 1998 & 1999.

Mr Bennett was born in the family sweet shop - opposite the railway station in Comberton Hill, now a locksmiths and later moved off the Hoo Road.

An electrician by trade, he worked at Richard Thomas Baldwins, Bradley & Turton and Midland Industrial Plastics in Stourport.

Mr Bennett passed away in January at Worcestershire Royal Hospital after a short illness. He leaves his wife Iris, and son James.

A private funeral was held at Kidderminster Cemetery.