BINGO caller Chris McHenry is hoping he'll be "top of the shop" when he takes part in a national competition this weekend.

The father-of-one is travelling to London for the National Bingo Caller of the Year contest after being named the best in the North West.

He has been calling out the numbers for hundreds of players at Buckingham Bingo Club in Middleton since he started working there two years ago.

And Chris has proved such a hit that his manager Lee Rich decided to recommend him for the competition.

Chris, of Andrew Street, Bury, said: "I like the job because it's a good craic and the customers are very nice. It's a gentle job with no stress or pressure. Somebody won £20,000 this week and it really put a smile on my face."

The competition will see Chris compete against five people from different parts of the UK on Sunday for the title of the country's top bingo caller.

The winner will receive a two-week holiday to the USA and the chance to call bingo numbers at one of the biggest casinos in Las Vegas.

Dozens of customers are travelling from Middleton to support their favourite bingo caller, but Chris (38) is determined to stay calm.

He said: "I am feeling a bit nervous now about the final, but the bookmakers have put me at 7/2 to win, which makes me the third favourite.

"I really do believe I have what it takes - I've got a fun-loving personality, a bucketful of charisma, a pinch of the X-factor and plenty of dedication."

As if reaching the grand final of a national competition wasn't enough, Chris has been filming in Leeds this week after reaching the quarter final of Channel Four's Countdown.

He said: "Everything I touch seems to turn to gold at the moment!"