JOHN Taylor captured the Lancashire Merit for a third time on Sunday.

The King and Queen bowler beat his teammate Larry Wells 21-11 in the final at Golborne Sports Club.

His previous successes in the competition came in 1992 and 1988.

This latest victory qualifies Taylor for the Champion of Champions season finale at the Waterloo Hotel in Blackpool on September 28.

Before that, Taylor and Wells will take part in the All England Championships in Birmingham in July.