Skittles players from all around the region are being invited to take part in the biggest skittles event of the year to find the Blackthorn British Skittles Champions of 2009.

The championship Grand Finals, due to be played in Weston-super-Mare in September, will see 48 teams from across the country in action – 16 in the men's team event, 16 in the ladies' and 16 in the mixed.

In addition to the title of British champions, the winning teams will each receive a cash prize – £1,650 for the men's champions,£1,200 for the mixed champions and £1,000 for the ladies champions.

Last year saw a whopping 173 teams compete for the title of Blackthorn British Skittles Champions and the competition organisers are expecting that this year's championships, the sixth, will see a record number of entries.

Reigning Blackthorn Men's Champions, Bath City, are planning to defend their title. Captain John Cooke said: "To finally win the competition after four years of trying was a unbelievable feeling!

"It has been an unforgettable experience with many highs and lows along the way. To actually qualify for the finals in 2009 would be a considerable achievement but to win it again would be incredible. The atmosphere and camaraderie the championship generates can not be matched by many sporting events, so I say to you all enter a team and knock us off our perch!!"

Ladies champions, The Sinners from Exeter, will be back again. Captain Maxine Steer said: "Getting to the Grand Finals at Weston in our first year and winning it was absolutely fantastic, especially being unbeaten. We aim to do the same this year, but we'll forego the unbeaten record in the qualifiers to be crowned champions again."

Mixed Blackthorn champions were Satellite Scorching Hoppers from Gloucester. Vice-captain Wendy Campbell said: "To reach the finals again in 2008 was brilliant. We reach the semi-finals in 2007 and were determined to try and go one better by reaching the final."

"To achieve our goal and make the final was thrilling, especially after going through a nail-biting play-off in the quarter-finals and winning by one pin. To then go on and win was amazing.

"The support we had from the other teams, considering we had knocked them out of the competition, was wonderful and despite the pressure not to let our fellow team members down the whole event was well worth it and we intend to do our very best to reach the finals once again this year."

The championship will start in May with regional group matches, played on a home and away basis. Successful teams from this stage will go on to a series of knockout rounds, with the last 16 in each category qualifying for the finals at Weston-super-Mare.

Anyone can enter and teams from Bristol and Gloucestershire could find themselves competing against opponents from Dorset, Wiltshire, Devon, Worcestershire, Somerset, Cornwall and Wales at the Grand Finals.

Qualifying teams will receive a discounted price on accommodation at Sand Bay Leisure Resort, where the finals will be held, on finals day Saturday, September 19. There will be the option of staying the previous night and getting the chance to practice on the alleys before the main event. In addition to the prizes for winning teams, the runners-up in the men's event will win £800, mixed event £600 and ladies £500 from sponsors Blackthorn Cider.

Any teams requiring further information or wishing to enter should contact the organisers, The Shoot Out Club, on 01803 210210 or visit their website www.shootoutclub.co.uk/bbsc. The closing date for entries for this great event is Monday, March 31.