BEN Sherwen is England’s national bowls champion - a remarkable achievement for the 32-year-old who only took up the sport to alleviate boredom as a child.

The Gosforth product, who now lives in Kells, has mastered the sport during a two-decade love affair with the greens, and it’s all thanks to his granddad Bill.

Sherwen was a restless 11-year-old when Bill took him to the Gosforth club to stop him being bored during the summer holidays.

And now, 21 years later, Sherwen took the giant national trophy he won in Royal Leamington Spa to his 84-year-old mentor’s house.

“It was an emotional moment,” he said.

“Granddad had a tear in his eye. It’s all thanks to him that I am standing here as England’s champion.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet. It won’t for a while yet either. To become Whitehaven’s first national champion is an honour.

“When you look at the names on the trophy, I find it hard to believe I’m in such esteemed company.”

Sherwen beat 4,694 other bowlers, including Middlesbrough’s Vinnie O’Neill 21-19 in a thrilling final, to land the trophy, and will now compete for the British title next summer, and the world championship in Australia.

“This is my first national individual honour, and I’m over the moon,” he said.

“I’ve won team events with England, but to land the big one is just incredible.

“I’ve been very lucky throughout my career.

“To beat more than 4,500 of the best bowlers in England is incredible.

“People like Wigton’s John Bell have won this trophy, so it’s an honour to be associated with people like that.

“I’ve been to China and across the world playing the sport I love. I still find that hard to believe.”

Sherwen, who hones his skills on the Whitehaven greens, off Coach Road, was picked for the Cumbria side aged 15, and has gone on to represent his country.

He has gone on to lift numerous honours, including the European Masters Championship.

Despite all the success, there’s still a lot left for him to achieve, including world domination on Australia’s Gold Coast next year.

“To go to Australia for the World Champion of Champions will be incredible,” he said. “But first I need to work hard for the British title.”