A CREDITON man is likely to have many in the town and UK on their edge of their seats this afternoon.

Robert Paxton, who plays indoors at the Exonia Club in Exeter and outdoors with Crediton Bowling Club, will this afternoon compete in the final of the Ambassador Cruise Line 2026 World Indoor Bowls Championships.

It will be a thrilling final at Potters Resorts as the tournament reaches its climax for the open singles final as Paxton faces Paul Foster MBE.

Robert previously won the World Open Singles Champion in 2020, his Scottish opponent having won the title in 1998, 2001, 2005, 2011 and 2017.

The match will be broadcast live from Potters Leisure resort in Hopton in Norfolk on BBC 2 television from about 2.30pm.

Robert (47) is the sales manager at Crediton-based business Bond Bowls.

In the semi-final held yesterday, Saturday, January 24, Paxton beat another Scot, Darren Burnett, Darren Burnett 2-1 (9-3, 6-11, 2-0), winning by playing an amazing final bowl after a nail biting game.

After beating Burnett, Robert told the BBC: “It is fantastic to make it through to the final.”

Paxton is seeded third in the competition with Foster seeded fourth.

Paxton has had four World Indoor Bowls Championship wins: one Open Singles Championship win, one Pairs World Matchplay win and two Mixed Pairs World Matchplay wins.

He has been Open Singles Champion Runner-up on three occasions, Pairs World Matchday Runner-up once and Mixed Pairs World Matchplay Runner-up once.