BURNLEY'S Mel Link had to go all the way to the North East to steal one of their qualifying spots and win a place at the final of a national golf competition!

The 52-year-old, who lives a 'seven iron's' distance from the Glen View club, had to go to Slaley Hall, near Durham, for the regional final of the Help the Aged Golden Charter Charity Golf Championship after his entry to the North West final was 'misplaced'.

He finished second - the top two qualified - to make it through to today's final at Royal Lytham and St Anne's.

He explained: "I got through to the regional finals by winning a stableford medal comp at Burnley.

"I should have gone to Heron's Reach in Blackpool but there was a mix-up and I wasn't entered.

"So I went to Slaley Hall, which is near Durham, and finished second!"

Almost 300 golf clubs from around the country held qualifiers. Thousands of golfers entered and there were nine regional finals.

Two men and two women from each regional final qualified for today's final.

The winner will receive a golf trip for two. The competition has raised thousands of pounds for the charity.

"We had a competition at Burnley and had to pay £3 to enter," said Mel. "All the money went to Help the Aged.

"We have medal competitions all the time at the club and they can be to qualify for two or three different tournaments at a time. I enter them all.

"I think next year a few more will enter when they see that I got to play at Slaley and now Royal Lytham - for free!"

Competitors from around the UK converged on the championship course this morning, and the first competitor teed off at 11am.

It will be Mel's second chance to play at the course.

"I played there once before when I was a member at Todmorden," said Mel, a five handicapper.

"About 50 of us went over there to play a round when it was the club's centenary year, which must have been eight years ago now.

"I'm just going to go there and enjoy it. If I win I win, if I don't well I will have had a great day out and played a great course."

It will be the first major national final Mel, who runs a residential children's home, has reached. He got through to the regional final of a Renault-sponsored comp at Formby but failed to qualify for the national final.

"This is probably the biggest competition I have played in the final of," said Mel.

"It will be great end to the season as well - our season ends this weekend.

"I only play occasionally through the winter so hopefully this will be a highlight of the year!"

Mel did get the chance to take a few practice shots on the greens - and out of the bunkers - before today's final got under way.

And he said playing on a course like Royal Lytham is something unique.

"It is completely different, it's a championship course, not something you get to play every day!

"I play off five as well so it will be a challenge for me."