DARLINGTON squash player Colin Shields appears to be maturing like a fine wine, as he goes from strength to strength at the age of 56.

Shields has been selected for the England Over-55 men's squash team, which will see him play on the brand new courts in Glasgow, that have been built especially for the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

Shields, who plays at Darlington Squash Club, will appear at the Home International matches in Glasgow on May 17/18.

What makes the story even more remarkable, is that Shields had to take a few years out of the game after being selected for the over-50s in 2007, due to personal reasons.

Shields suffered the loss of his mother shortly after being selected, which meant that he had to take a step away from the game to take care of his elderly father. However, he claims that this has made his latest achievement even more special.

He said: "It was really tough after coming back. But to get selected again after how the last few years have been, makes it that much more special.

"Representing your country…it's the proudest I've ever been, aside from getting married! The amount of pride you feel is just indescribable. I can't think of anything better than pulling the England tracksuit on."

Shields also expressed his delight at having the chance to be the first person to compete on Glasgow's new squash courts: "It is a massive honour to be given that chance," he said. "I have played in Nottingham for the Home Internationals, but Glasgow will be something else altogether."

The Stockton-born squash player was called up for the over-55s team after an impressive showing at the Men's Over-55 National Championships. After a good run into the quarter-finals, Shields faced third seed Stephen Johnson and although he lost, the manner of the defeat was enough to give him the fourth ranking position which meant that he was selected for the England Master's side, due to face Ireland, Scotland and Wales in Glasgow.

He said: "The president came over to me after the game and told me I had justified my place in the side by giving the third seed such a tough match.

"It went on for about 70 minutes, easily twice as long as any of the other games."

What sets the 56-year-old apart from most people - it is worth remembering that unlike many if not all of his opponents, Shields is still in full-time employment - is his work ethic.

"What people don't realise, is that I am 56 and I still work harder than people half my age. I am up every other day at 5am to train before work.

"I work with my coach, Ken Robinson, a few times a week and he has improved me massively. I had two coaches five years ago but I only work with Ken now and he has been a huge help to me."

However, despite Shields' personal achievements, he is still hugely grateful to one person in particular, his wife. Jill was herself a handy squash player, so good her husband even calls her "professional standard", before she had to retire from the sport due to severe hip injuries.

He said: "I'm away a lot. I have been playing representative squash for over ten years. I must have been away for 11 weekends now since November so I don't know how she manages, but she is very supportive of me."

In the meantime, he hopes to maintain his form at the Darlington Squash Club, where he still manages to more than hold his own despite competition from people much younger than himself.