A SQUASH court superman is returning from a holiday down under to his Bishop's Castle and Ludlow fans with an international top title in his belt.

Mike Thurgur, of Hyssington near Bishop's Castle, has telephoned home from Melbourne with news he has become the new World Squash Masters Champion for the Over 60s.

But it was no surprise to Bishop's Castle Squash Club, where he has long been a leading light ever since he joined on moving to the area two years ago.

They knew he would win and started planning the homecoming celebrations for around November 26 even before he left.

Mr Thurgur, aged 62, is vice-chairman of the club and a well-known coach at Bishop's Castle Leisure Centre, among both the younger and the older set.

Club chairman Barry Wilson said of Mr Thurgur's three to nil win in the finals: "We are all delighted. We are well ahead with the surprise party. He went for the squash and I think the holiday was a sidekick. We were completely confident he would win because he is absolutely brilliant.

"Since he moved here two years ago our squash playing team has improved tremendously and he has also done a great deal for Bishop's Castle school players."

A former schoolteacher, who played in the same circuit as legendary world champion Jonah Barrington in the 1980s, Mr Thurgur won the British over-50s Championship in 1992. He plays in the Shropshire premier division and is a well-known coach in Ludlow as well as Bishop's Castle.

Bishop's Castle Leisure Centre manager Gwyneth Owen said: "It is fantastic news. He has done so much for squash here, organising matches and bringing in players from other counties."