Bingo contenders hoping for the top of the shop! (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Bingo contenders hoping for the top of the shop!

TWO Swindon bingo callers are hoping to be two fat ladies this month.

Lee Walker and Phil Davies both work at Gala in Greenbridge and are through to the regional final of the bingo caller of the year award to be held in Swindon on Sunday, April 24.

The pair will strive to impress the judges and will be marked on pronunciation, personality, and pace.

Lee was shortlisted for the regional finals last year and his colleague Phil is looking forward to the day.

Phil, 39, of Penhill, said: "It's all about appearance, personality and getting on with the customers.

"You've got to be a green card holder, which means you have completed the green card course and have reached a certain standard.

"I'm used to standing in front of 1,000 people you just get used to it."

Phil even called the numbers dressed as a woman and sitting in baked beans for charity, and has been working as a caller for more than 20 years.

He said bingo is shedding its stuffy image. "We get more and more youngsters coming along," he said.

Lee, of Cricklade Road, has been working at Gala for about five years and has been a caller for three-and-a-half years. He came third in the regional heats last year.