A BINGO caller has reached the finals of Brains' Real Welsh legends award.

Derek Alexander, 72, who is originally from Bargoed, spends most of his time at St Mary's Well Bay caravan park in Penarth where he has had a caravan for the last 12 years.

The resident bingo caller who has his own way of calling out the numbers and said he was honoured to be nominated

Derek said: “I was delighted when I found out I had been nominated as a Real Welsh Legend. I’ve been calling the bingo at the clubhouse for years, and I’ve always had my own style.

When I call out number 59 all the ladies go ‘ooo’, and I usually say ‘I haven’t had women ooo at me for years’. It’s always good fun.”

He will be one of ten nominees from across Wales and voting is now open. It will run until the end of July after which four winners will win some unique prizes.

These include having a pub named after them and a trip to Brains' brewery in Cardiff to make their own 'legends' beer.

Derek was nominated by Rachel Williams from St Mary’s Well Bay Caravan Park, who says he deserves to be given legendary status.

“Derek is a true legend to us at the caravan park. He puts a smile on everyone’s face on a Saturday when he calls the bingo, and is quick to tell a joke or two.”

Bruce Newman, head of marketing at SA Brain & Co Ltd said he was thrilled with the response to the competition.

He said: “Our Real Welsh Legends campaign was designed to discover the true legends that we know are in our pubs and local communities.

We all know a person who is part of the furniture in your local pub or always has a joke to tell. We wanted to celebrate these legends and share their stories.

“The campaign has revealed that Wales really is home to some great legends. We wish Derek luck as well as the other shortlisted finalists and no doubt his local community will support him.”

To vote for your favourite Welsh ‘Legend’, visit www.realwelshlegends.com