A DEVORAN bowls player has earned both himself and his village international recognition after being chosen to represent England at wheelchair bowls "down under."

Mike Diston, who is 64, is one of a growing number of disabled bowls players in Cornwall and has been selected from 180 players nationwide to make the trip to Australia. He has been invited to take part by the British Wheelchair Bowls Association and is looking forward to the challenge.

Mike has always had a keen interest in sports, but only took up bowls two years before he had an accident that left him wheelchair bound, ten years ago.

Since then he has been playing lawn bowls from his wheelchair. He has been the Mylor Bridge bowls captain for the last three years and as a member of a team plays in as many county games as possible.

He currently plays up to five times a week in the season and is now preparing for one of the most exciting experiences of his life - the World Disabled Bowls Championship which will take place in Manly, Australia from the October 15-29. He will be competing against people with varying levels of disability from all over the world, as part of a five-man wheelchair team.

Mike said: "I will be travelling alone to avoid expense, but my son who lives in Wellington, New Zealand, will be joining me to give me a hand whilst I'm over there."

The trip will be expensive, but there is no doubt in Mike's mind that he will make it. The financial help from Cornwall County Bowls, the Southern Division, Mylor Bridge bowls club, and Feock parish council which last week agreed to a grant of £250.

Members heard from Mr Diston, who lives at White Lodge, Devoran, that it was up to each player to raise the funds to attend the games. The estimated costs, he said were approximately £2,250 for flights, accommodation, fees, clothing, training weekends and other expenses and he also had to find £1,750 to pay for his carer.

"At my age you don't expect such amazing opportunities to come along, there's no way I am missing this one. I appreciate all the support so much and feel humbled."

That is not to say there will not be difficulties to iron out, such as the fact that he found out that he can't take his bowls on the aeroplane which means added expense of around £600.

Asked how he would feel if he won the championships he said: "I wouldn't even think about it, for me it is enough to just get there."

Mike would love to see bowls reinstated in the Para Olympics. "If I was to win the championships it would most definitely be the pinnacle of my career and anything after that will just be the icing on the cake."

Mike once had a career in the Royal Navy and later worked in the gas industry. Locally he has been involved with the local scout group and is well known in the village where he lives.

Anyone wanting to help Mike can do so by contacting him on 01872 863122.