A LAKE District backgammon club is to be formed following the success of the region’s first championship in Windermere.

Players from all over Britain took part in the tournament at the Cedar Manor Hotel last month, organised by hotelier Jonathan Kaye.

Among them was John Watton from Grange-over-Sands, an enthusiastic player himself, whose daughter Kate reached the semi-final of the contest.

Now John, who is assistant head teacher at Dallam School in Milnthorpe, has contacted enthusiasts throughout Cumbria who now hope to play regularly in pubs, cafes and hotels.

He said: “Many thanks to Jonathan Kaye for organising the Lake District Backgammon Tournament at the Cedar Manor. It was an excellent event.

MORE TOP STORIES: “During the course of the tournament I was able to speak to several local players who indicated an interest in meeting to play a few games. I’ve since had encouraging responses.”

The first meeting will be at the Sun Inn, Troutbeck Bridge, on Thursday June 5, at 7pm.

Jonathan said: “This is a fantastic outcome. We had already decided that our contest should become an annual event, but I always hoped to see backgammon played more widely across the Lake District. I’m delighted that a regular-playing club is to be formed.”

Backgammon is one of the world’s oldest board games for two players. It is played across the globe, and is popular in the café culture of the Mediterranean and Middle East.