Bowled over - the European Gold Cup got underway for tenpin bowlers yesterday with a parade of nations.

Southend's mayor Tony North helped get the championship underway when he joined World Tenpin Bowling Association president Ad Ophelders in to bowl a couple of balls.

The event - which runs at the Kursaal on Southend seafront until tomorrow - features teams from 20 countries competing in individual male and female classes and a mixed class.

The event is organised by the British Tenpin Bowling Association and is free of charge for spectators

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.