Partially-sighted Walthamstow bowler Paul Hawkes has been crowned champion of the pairs event at the National Indoors Bowls Disability Championships.

Hawkes, who has been a member at Chingford Bowls Club for 12 years and this year joined Chigwell Indoors Club, clinched first prize at the national competition along with his partner Alan Lyne.

The duo, who know each other from competing together for many years on the circuit, beat off competition from 18 pairs from all over the country.

With four teams qualifying for the tournament semi-finals, Hawkes and Lyne squeezed through as the fourth best team.

They then upset the odds however by beating the competition favourites - Paul Davis and Adrian Mears - 18-6 to book a place in the final.

A 16-6 win over David Mears and Maureen Ryan was enough to seal victory and clinch the trophy.

Hawkes said: "I was delighted to win the tournament with Alan - we started slowly but got better and better as the tournament went on."