ILMINSTER Bowling Club member Rob Paxton opens his bid for another World title tomorrow (Friday) as action gets underway at the famous Potters Resort, in Norfolk.

Paxton plays in the pairs first qualifying round with partner Jonathan Ross, looking to regain a title he won in 2015 with Simon Skelton.

The 39-year-old, from Taunton, also picked up the Mixed Pairs World title in the same year, this time in partnership with Marion Purcell.

Paxton’s challenge for the singles title begins next Thursday (January 18).

He is seeded sixth for the event and will meet Welsh qualifier Daniel Salmon in his bid to go one better than his runners-up spot in 2016, when he was beaten by Nick Brett 9-9, 12-9 in a closely-fought final.

The championships are being broadcast by the BBC across television and online.