A sprightly 91-year-old bowler from Lee has thrown down the gauntlet for the event. He will take on anyone over 90 with the winner donating £50 to the charity of his or her choice.

Reg Gauge, who lives in Westdean Avenue, has been bowling for 40 years, and is a member at the Lewisham Trades' Club based in Mountsfield Park, Stainton Road, Catford.

A retired milkman, Reg has a formidable record in tournaments. He has played in a total of 91 finals and won 64 of them.

He said: "I decided it would a good idea to challenge anybody over the age of 90 for charity. The loser pays the winner £50, who can donate it to a charity of their choice.

"Any money I win will go to the St Chrispher's Hospice in Sydenham."

Reg is hopeful that more than one person applies to take him on over 21 ends. He added: "It will be interesting to find out how many other people there are around my age group who are still playing.

"If there is a good response, then we may be able to stage a tournament instead of a single contest."

A popular figure in the area from his days as a milkman with United Dairies, Reg originally started bowling in Northbrook Park, Lee, and then in another club in Mountsfield Park.

He added: "Those two clubs closed, so a lot of the original members joined the Lewisham Trades."

A keen cricketer and table tennis player in his youth, Reg now spends many happy hours at the bowling club. If you are interested in taking up Reg's challenge, then call him on 020 8857 4446.