SIX local golfers will be off to Ireland this weekend to take part in the prestigious International Pairs semi-finals.

They will be joining scores of golfers from the North of England who will travel to the Citywest Golf Hotel resort just outside Dublin to battle for a place in the final, which will also be held in Ireland in October.

The players won their way across the Irish Sea for an all-expenses paid trip after they came out on top at the International Pairs event at their home club.

The local players involved are Dunscar's Mark Riley (handicap 8) and Stephen Greenough (6) - the pair with the third best handicap. Turton are represented by Brian Cole (11) and Fred Guest (22), while Bury pair are David Drew (12) and Gary Waites (16).

A spokesman for the organisers said: "Everyone who enters the International Pairs for just £5 is only one good round away from a trip to Ireland to play in the final stages of the tournament."