STEVE Warren has been selected for the England side for the first time following a highly successful trial over the Bank Holiday period.

His call-up to the England team for the Home International Series in Ayr on July 2-3 rounds off a perfect month of May for the Westlecot star.

The 34-year-old became a father for the second time earlier this month when his wife Ella presented him with a baby son, Tom, who weighed in at 7lb 10ozs.

Also chosen for the England team to play at Ayr is fellow Wiltshire Middleton Cup player Graham Shadwell.

Shadwell, the former English junior champion from Spencer Moulton (Bradford on Avon), has been an established member of the England set-up for the past couple of seasons.

Warren's selection is well deserved as he has been knocking on the door for several years.

He has appeared for England in two international indoor series, while outdoors he is a former English Pairs and Fours Champion while representing Westlecot.

Warren has taken part in England outdoor trials for the past seven seasons, and has been a travelling reserve twice before, in 1998 and 2002.

"It has taken a while but I am well chuffed at being finally selected to play," said Warren.

"And with becoming a dad again recently it is even sweeter.

"I have trialled well before but this I think was possibly my best performance.

"Our rink beat Rob Newman's quartet and then in the afternoon I linked up with Newman and we beat Steve Farish."

Warren is no stranger to Ayr and the Scottish town's international bowling green. In 1998, together with Westlecot teammates Mark Dyer, Tony Stevenson and Mel Biggs they finished as runners-up in the British Isles Championship Fours.

Warren gave up playing indoor bowls a couple of seasons ago but still competes outdoors for Westlecot. "I am really looking forward to playing in Ayr again, and of course for England. I am thoroughly enjoying my bowls again and I think it has shown in my play.

"With the baby having been born the pressure is off. I am more relaxed and it is showing in my play."

It is most unusual for a player to make his debut as a skip but that is the position in which Warren has been chosen. Normally debutants are chosen as leads or number twos and work their way up.

Warren's rink in Ayr will be Mark Bantock (Bucks), Neil Mckee (Northants) and Commonwealth 2002 gold medallist Robert Newman (Berkshire) at three.

Shadwell has been named at number three to Cumbria's Steve Farish. The rink is completed by established internationals John Ottoway and Mervyn King, both from Norfolk.

Westlecot's Mark Dyer also took part in the England trial.

He was not picked for a first cap but has been offered a trial again next season.

Westlecot's Neil Hope, 23, an established junior outdoor international, has been named in the 32 players invited to take part in the final trial at Leamington for the 2003 Junior International Series on July 13.