A STARRY-EYED karaoke king has been named the nation's best in a singing competition in Portugal.

Ian Jones, 59, of Barnack Close, Trowbridge, regularly sings with the Starry Eyes Performance Foundation, an organisation that holds music workshops and talent contests in west Wiltshire.

While on holiday in the Algarve last year the married father-of-two won a karaoke competition run by a timeshare company.

After scooping the top award the singing granddad was invited back to the Club Pria Da Oura resort last week to compete against seven other finalists from around the UK.

He said: "I went to the Starry Eyes club because I was interested in learning about projection and singing skills.

"I began singing in a number of shows and have now laid down some tracks on a CD.

"When I got invited back to Portugal I really didn't think I stood a chance of winning.

"There were some great singers but I think the nerves got to a few of them."

Mr Jones is also a member of Frome Amateur Operatic Society and won the holiday competition after singing tracks from musicals.

In June Mr Jones, who has seven grandchildren, is due to retire from the civil service.

He said: "Who knows, after one career finishes another may begin.

"I haven't really got any interest in those TV singing shows like Pop Idol.

"I think at 59 I will be too old.

"But following my success and work with the Starry Eyes in Trowbridge it is definitely something I am keen to do more of."

Starry Eyes Perfor-mance Foundation holds an annual west Wiltshire talent show and performers also sing at community and street events.