ILMINSTER Bowling Club pair Louis Ridout and Rob Paxton have been selected as part of a five-strong England team at the World Bowls Championship that will be held in Christchurch, New Zealand later this year.

Ridout started bowling at Ilminster at a very young age and proceeded to make a name for himself at county and national level and finally, for the full England team, indoor and out, where he has become a regular performer.

Paxton, from Taunton, is also an England player and is often seen on the television performing in the World Indoor Championships at Potters.

He also helped Ilminster to a Turnbull Cup and County League Double last season.

Another Ilminster bowler, Angie Thompson, a well-known figure in local and Somerset County Bowls, has also been selected as an umpire for New Zealand.

She is just one of three from England and one of 20 from the rest of the world.

Held every four years, The 2016 event gets under way on Tuesday, November 29 and runs through until December 11.