A KIRTLINGTON couple battled it out for a place in the finals of the first national dominoes championship, held at the Grand Hotel in Birmingham.

Mike Maguire and his wife Jay were the only Oxfordshire competitors to reach the final of the championship, for the golden domino award and a top prize of £500.

The pair, who were both working at Oxford University at the time in 1979, found themselves pitted against each other in the semi-final of the regional contest in Bristol.

Mr Maguire came out on top, taking a silver domino and £50 prize.

He said the battle was 'close'.

Mrs Maguire had to settled for a bronze domino and £25.

It is not known who the watching dog was supporting.