A MAN from Aspatria is set to take part in the World Bowls Championships over the next few weeks.

Stuart Irwin, 38, will take part in both the doubles and singles matches - and not for the first time.

Stuart’s first match is set to take place tomorrow where he will team up with Jack Bird to take on Katherine Rednall and Stewart Anderson.

Unfortunately, coronavirus restrictions has meant the matches are going ahead with no audience, however, all games will be live streamed for people at home to see.

Stuart’s single’s matches will start on Saturday, January 16.

Stuart and Kevin Harrison took part in the tournament a few years ago and at the time he described it as “a once in a life time opportunity” so feels extremely lucky to be taking part again.

He said: “I was 13 when I started playing. I played short mat bowls. There was a family fun day at a village hall and I fell in love with it and have played ever since.

“It’s a dream come true [to play in this competition]. But it is a big deal. I’m nervous and excited.

“It’s an absolutely honour to be asked to play because I’ve grown up watching these world championships hoping it would be me one day and I feel really lucky.”

Devonne, Stuart’s wife, is extremely proud of him. She would normally be by his side cheering him on but the lockdown has meant she’ll be cheering him on from the sofa instead.

She said: “We actually got to go last time, myself and Kev’s partner Misha, we got to go and enjoy Potters.

“This time I was due to go but because of everything going they have totally changed everything and it’s just the players.

“I was hoping to go and support him but I can’t go so we’re just going to watch it from home.

“But I’m really proud of him because he’s really wanted to do it, it’s all he ever talks about. Bowls is pretty much his life.

“It’s such a big deal for him to go and do it.

“We are really proud of him and wishing him luck and we’ll be cheering him on from the sofa.”

For anyone that wants to watch the matches they will be broadcast on youtube this weekend and on BBC from Monday.