A SELF-EMPLOYED bricklayer from Anglesey made history last week by becoming the first person from the island to ever be crowned Wales Bowling Champion.

Geraint Booth from Llanfairpwll took on 31 of the best Welsh bowlers from across the country who had qualified for the Welsh Merit Tournament final held in Benllech on June 23.

Some 150 supporters witnessed the 33-year-old progress through each round quite comfortably, beating the likes of John Bailey (Waterloo All-England Champion) along the way.

Both the semi-final and final were played as daylight began to fade and rain came pouring down. A 21-12 win over Lewis Scott of St Asaph saw Booth eventually crowned champion.

The Llanfairpwll, Llanfairfechan and Beaumaris Bowling Club star will now go on to play in the All-Britain Championships in Derby on July 29 and then the All-England Championships at the Waterloo Club, Blackpool in September, where he will be pitted against the UK's best bowlers.

Booth, who says he first started bowling at the age of 12 alongside his grandfather at Llanfairpwll Bowling Club, said: "I'm made up to have won this tournament as it's one of the biggest things you can win and it's a huge achievement which I'm really proud of.

"I dedicated the win to my grandfather and grandmother who both died on the same day six years ago. I was slightly emotional at the end of it all because I know they would have been so proud of me."