Four chess masters from Preston have helped Lancashire retain its crown as the country's chess champions.

The 16-strong Lancashire side – including the four Prestonians – out-thought Middlesex in a closely fought final in Leicester after seeing off a host of teams, including bitter rivals Yorkshire.

Team member Malcolm Peacock, a computer programmer, of Cromwell Road, Penwortham, said: "We have now won the last two years and before that it was 40 years since we won.

"It was exciting playing the matches and watching games."

Fellow team member Jim Sumner, 42, from Penwortham, the managing director of Leyland Trucks, said: "It was the Preston lads who were the decisive factor but it was a great team effort."

Brett Lund, 36, a charity worker from Church Street, Preston, said: "The trophy is worth £50,000 – it is made of solid silver and is the best trophy you have ever seen."

Peter Jowett, 35, a civil servant, of Higher Bank Road, in Fulwood, said: "We have a reasonable team but I tend to draw every game."

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