FOUR women bowlers refused to be put off their stride even when a male streaker sped past during a crucial point in the game.

The quartet from Consett Park Bowling Club, kept their cool and bowled their way to win the right to represent England at an international contest.

"It was quite exciting, but it didn't put us off one bit," said team captain Gillian Jones.

The man made his naked run across the green at Royal Leamington Spa as her team-mate, Edna Stokoe, was just about to bowl.

"She didn't see him at first, but there were thousands of women there and they made a huge roar. I told her not to look round and to keep going and she bowled brilliant."

Keeping their cool landed the women their first international. They will represent England in a Home Nations contest held in Ireland next June.

"Playing in front of thousands of people was amazing," she said. "Usually at our club, you only get five or six spectators."

It is only the second time a team from Durham has won the county championships in the history of the contest.

The last occasion a Durham team won the right to don England kit was more than 40 years ago. "It is brilliant for us, coming from a little town like Consett and going to represent our country," said Mrs Jones.