PRESTWICH barman Jahn Hanson provided the right "mix" of talent and knowledge when he won the regional final of the TGI Friday's Bar Team Challenge on Monday.

The 27-year-old, who works at the Bury New Road branch of TGI Friday's in Prestwich, beat off nine of the company's leading bartenders.

His first place position was the result of three years of hard work and is one step nearer to representing the company in San Franciso next March at the World Cocktail Championship.

Jahn, who has worked at the Prestwich bar for four years, said: "I have entered the competition three times and have only come second or third before, so I am really pleased to have won."

Jahn's gruelling task included seven written tests, a "pour" test and the ultimate nerve-racking job of serving cocktails to six judges.

Victory means Jahn goes through to the Best Bartender Grand Final in London on November 3 and 4, and if successful he will enjoy the trip of a lifetime to the US.

Modest Jahn said: "It would be good to go to America but I'll see how I go on in the next round first."