LEGENDARY South Ayrshire bowler Paul Foster has set a record which could stand for the ages.

The Troon ace, who plays out of Prestwick Ambassador, became the first player to win the Scottish Singles title for three years in succession. It was his fourth success overall in the event.

He defeated Gordon McKenzie of Coatbridge 21-12 on Sunday, after defeating John Fleming of Inverclyde 21-18 in a closely contested semi-final 24 hours earlier.

Now he is confident this latest success in what is a glittering career will give him a boost ahead of his trip to Norfolk to line up in the World Indoor Bowling Championships later this week.

Foster said: "It was a very tight semi-final but was good to get through. I competed well in the final. I won this event first in 1998, but it's great to win it three years in a row, hopefully that's a record which will be hard for anyone to beat. I'm 45 but still playing very well."

He is looking forward to the start of the world event which gets underway when he and longtime partner Alex "Tattie" Marshall take on Welsh qualifiers in the opening round of the pairs on Friday night. Next Tuesday, January 15, he takes on Welshman Damien Double in the opening round of the singles.

Added Foster: "The win at the weekend gives me confidence for the World Championships and I will be looking to play well."

Meanwhile in the Ladies junior singles, Prestwick's Rebecca Houston lost 21-12 in the semi-final.

In the Ladies Ladies 2 bowl pairs, Auchinleck's Hannah Smith and Claire Johnston were narrowly pipped in a tie -break in the final by Arbroath.