A South Woodham man has been chosen to represent England in a junior bridge competition.

Alan Shillitoe, 22, who has been playing bridge for seven years, is competing in the Junior Camrose competition in Dublin at the end of January.

"I am really looking forward to it and I am quite confident," said Alan.

"England are the favourites to win as they have actually won the competition for the last few years running."

Alan started playing bridge when he was at King Edward VI Grammar School in Chelmsford, where he was a member of their successful bridge team, who were the runners up in the British Schools championships in 1994.

Alan, an engineer for a defence company, lived in South Woodham with his parents for 10 years until he recently moved to Bedford for work.

Alan Shillitoe concentrates on his hand during a game.

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