Two Ashby men are part of the team representing Great Britain in the cornhole World Championships in Croatia.

Ben and Mark are both founding members of the 'Ashby Baggers' Cornhole Club that meets every Tuesday at Ashby Leisure Centre and has grown to become one of the biggest Cornhole clubs in the UK.

Cornhole is a competitive sport that has been growing in popularity where players throw fabric beanbags into a target hole.

They have been playing competitively for three years and earned places representing Great Britain at the World Champions following success at the UK Cornhole League.

The World Championships is a five-day event in Proec, Croatia where about 450 players will compete across singles, doubles, women's, juniors, clubs, quads and blind draws.

'I am incredibly proud to be playing cornhole on the world stage here in Croatia, knowing just how far I've come to earn this spot.' said Dale.

'Qualifying through the UKCL Cornhole League was a long, demanding journey, and standing here now feels like the perfect payoff for all that work.'

Mark said: 'I have been tremendously lucky to have been selected in consecutive years to represent Cornhole Great Britain in the World Championships in Porec, Croatia.

'Wearing the Team GB jersey and playing a sport I love has been amazing and one of my top sporting achievements to date.

Marks appearances in the UKCL last year ranked him as one of the top players in the country, success he attributes to the 'huge amount of advice, coaching and support from my teammates at club level.

'I hope I can do you all proud and play to my full potential out in Croatia.'

Both Dale and Mark have played an important part in founding and growing Ashby Baggers to where it is today.

Director of UKCL and Ashby Baggers Ben Gregory said: 'Dale was instrumental in getting the club off the ground in Ashby, making homemade boards. Before we even had a club in Ashby, we played on the Bath Grounds to grow interest.

'Ashby is now one of the biggest clubs in the UK and makes up a third of the GB team.

'Mark is an absolute club man supporting others and developing the youth side of the game. As a PE Teacher in Hinkley, he as been instrumental in getting Cornhole on his school's curriculum, already resulting in the emergence of some top juniors in the country.

'We are so proud of both our Ashby Baggers and with them every success as the represent both club and country.'