Stephen's winning poker face

A Shropshire man put on his best poker face and scooped £20,000 and a chance to compete in the national final at a card competition.

Amateur poker player Stephen Holden, from Madeley, beat professionals to win the Nottingham leg of the Great British Poker Tour.

Salesman Mr Holden, 46, will now go on to compete in the UK final of the competition in Bristol in October.

He has been playing poker for three years, having caught the poker bug after a trip to Las Vegas.

The Nottingham festival saw him beat 110 other poker players, including several professionals, in a gruelling 17-hour poker marathon.

He secured his place by winning another competition the night before. The event in Nottingham was attended by players from all over Europe as well as several celebrities, including Doug Henshall from ITV1's Primeval.

Mr Holden said: "I'm delighted - the dealer kept delivering great hands and some strong plays ensured that I came out on top.

"After putting in so much effort at card tables all around Nottinghamshire, this is a result to remember.

"The Great British Poker Tour is a brilliant chance for UK players to show off their skills in their own country."

Mr Holden hopes to turn professional and is looking for sponsors. Anyone interested in sponsoring him can call 07891 984305.