WEST Wellow's Mark Peckham has recently won two major veterans' badminton titles - seven years after being advised to give up the game!

Mark has been playing badminton since the age of six and became a top ranked singles player in England in the 1980s. But in 1998 he had a knee operation in the build-up to the World Masters Championships in Oregon and was advised never to play again.

"I'm glad I didn't take that advice because after a short lay-off I was soon back in action." he says.

He didn't give up even after a second operation last year and went on to win the England National Championships event for over 45s at Milton Keynes last December.

He followed this by taking the All England Veteran Championship (Over 45s) last month.

In that event at York he overcame players from all over Europe to reach the final against Ireland's Pat Marron.

The final produced a three-set match lasting 1 hours before he came out on top 16-17, 15-12, 15-8.

"I was a bit exhausted afterwards, but delighted to win the event," he says.

Mark has been a full time badminton coach for 20 years and has worked with many top players.

He's played more than 200 times for Hampshire and is now a county selector.

"I'm really enjoying my game at present and intend to go on playing for as long as my knee allows me!" he says.