Bingo caller Brett Hyrjak is a bookmakers' favourite to win a championship title.

He has odds of 2/1 to be named National Bingo Caller of the Year.

Mr Hyrjak has perfectly pronounced calls and a booming voice which have already scooped him the title of best bingo caller in the South and transformed him into a local celebrity in his home town.

He will battle it out against other bingo callers from around the UK for the coveted Golden Microphone trophy in the final at the end of the month.

The prize includes a trip for two to the US and the chance to call bingo in a Las Vegas casino.

Brett, who works for Gala Bingo at Butlins in Bognor, says the secret of his success lies in his confidence and ability to entertain a crowd.

He said: "There were about 150 applicants so to make it down to the final six is a real achievement no matter what happens in the final. I started calling five years ago as a stop-gap job but the moment I got up on stage I began to feel the same buzz as I did from acting.

"I would love to go to Las Vegas. It's a fantastic city for entertainment and I would like to show the Americans how we call bingo in England. Over there it's a bit slower and they leave ten second gaps between each number whereas here we call a number every two seconds."

But contrary to the popular stereotype it is not all legs eleven and fat ladies. Brett, of Upper Bognor Road, Bognor, said: "That kind of bingo is by the by now. Our players are competing for thousands of pounds prize money so we don't want to make it too complicated."