BARMAN David Bedwell is preparing to take part in the regional finals of an annual bartending competition.

The event is being held at the West Swindon branch of American restaurateurs TGI Fridays.

The firm has already established a reputation for serving some of the finest cocktails in the country.

And David, 25, from Shaw, who has worked at TGI Fridays for two years, was chosen out of six bartenders from the Swindon branch of the restaurant.

He will join other bartenders from the other six restaurants in the South West of England at the Swindon restaurant on October 7.

He said: "It is quite a daunting prospect. I am going to try and treat it like a normal Saturday night, but I suspect that with three to four hundred people watching it may be a little more difficult. Hopefully I can tell a few jokes about the bar manager to break the ice.

"Working for TGIs is totally different to other bar work. The training is intense."

David feels that he has a good chance of going further with his knowledge of drinks and how they are produced as well as being friendly with the punters.

Bartenders from the firm have always been keen to win the title to prove that they are the most accomplished at serving the finest cocktails.

Four prizes are available to the winners, ranging from £500 to £2,000. The best bartender will go to San Francisco for the world final in March 2003.