Keighley sportsmen are still fighting for justice -- almost a year after their sport was banned.

Smallbore pistol shooters had to hand over their guns in February, and are still waiting for compensation.

Michael Elders (above) was among members of the Keighley Rifle and Pistol Club who handed in their weapons. He was offered £1,600, but has still not received any money.

Yesterday a Home Office sspokesman confirmed that over 23,000 people, over a third of claimants, were still waiting for their money.

Michael was county pistol champion in 1993 and 94 and was the last .22 pistol champion with the highest average in the country. His success would probably have earned a place at the Commonwealth Games, but special funding had to be found to send the English team.

Despite that, and the fact that they only one week's training in Switzerland, they won more gold medals than any other British sport.

He has since switched to using a lightweight rifle and has adapted quickly to the dsicipline winning all 10 matches in the Yorkshire third division.

Pistol shooters could even be banned from competition at the 2002 games in Manchester -- even though other countries will be allowed to take part.

"The law is crazy, handguns are even still allowed in Northern Ireland," said Jenny Page, administrator of the National Smallbore Rifle Association.

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