EASTLEIGH bingo caller Mike Barnes has been chosen as one of the six best callers in the south of England.

Now he will be bidding to take the title of Southern Bingo Caller of the Year in a contest in Reading early next month.

Mike, 23, from the Leo Leisure Club in Leigh Road, impressed the judges when he sent them a video demonstrating his exceptional skills and his great sense of fun and personality.

General manager at the club Peter Brown, who nominated Mike for the competition, said: "He has a vibrant personality and a great sense of humour.

"He recently dressed up as a bunny girl for a Father's Day promotion. He is always cracking jokes and making the customers laugh. Being a small club, we all have to do more than one job, but he is happy to share the load. I am certain Mike would be an excellent ambassador for the industry."

Mike has been working at the club for just two years and is looking forward to the chance to carry the south's hopes into the national final by winning the regional heat in Reading on October 10.

He said: "I really love my job and want to bring bingo to a new generation of players."

Scooping the national title in the competition, sponsored by the National Bingo Game, would net Mike a £500 prize plus a trip for two to Los Angeles and the chance to call a bingo game in a Las Vegas casino.