BOWLS : Tattie will dig deep for the double; WORLD No.1 BIDS FOR HISTORIC SINGLES WIN.

WORLD No.1 Alex Marshall will attempt to etch his name in the record books over the next fortnight by becoming the first bowler to hold concurrent world indoor and outdoor singles titles.

The East Lothian-based star, known as Tattie, is already assured legendary status after winning a record-equalling third world indoor singles title earlier this year.

That achievement put him alongside greats like David Bryant, Tony Allcock and Richard Corsie.

And when the 10th World Championships get under way at Ayr Northfield on Friday, Marshall will carry Scots hopes in the singles while also defending the pairs crown he won in Johannesburg in 2000 with Broxburn's George Sneddon.

Since then he and Sneddon have won gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and the pair are firm favourites to retain world glory on their home patch.

Despite enjoying huge success indoors Marshall considers his triple gold medal haul at the 1992 World outdoor Championships - one in pairs, one in fours and one as a member of the Scots team - as his greatest achievement.

Marshall and Sneddon will be joined in the five-man Scots team by David Peacock (Danderhall), Jim McIntyre (Houldsworth) and Gifford's Willie Wood, who at the age of 66 will be appearing in a record eighth Championships.

Wood has amassed nine medals over 28 years since he first took part in the event in South Africa in 1976.

However, most attention will surround Marshall's bid to make bowling history. And he's relishing the challenge despite expectations reaching fever pitch.

Marshall said: 'I know expectations are high, especially as the competition is on Scots soil, but I enjoy all that.

'It should be a wonderful occasion and like the rest of our team I can't wait for the action to start.' England's hopes at the showpiece event, meanwhile, will be spearhead by a patriotic Scot.

Andy Thomson, 48, moved south from St Andrews to London in 1980, a year after being capped indoor for Scotland.

He quickly established himself as a major force in English bowls, winning the world indoor singles title twice in the 90s and returning to the limelight with victory in the BUPA Open in Sheffield last November.

Thomson took over as England's indoor team captain last year and although he will skip for England in both triples and fours he's looking forward to his medal bid back home in Scotland.

He said: 'I still consider myself a patriotic Scot although in bowls you play for the country of residence rather than birth. 'Mind you, I will be giving it my all to prevent Scottish success and hope to take at least one medal south of the border.'

World Bowls secretary Roger Black has been planning the event for over four years.

He said: 'It has been a mammoth undertaking but will all be worthwhile when play begins at the weekend. Some Scots medal successes would be the icing on the cake.'

The championships, last held in Scotland at Aberdeen in 1984, will attract competitors from 24 nations.

Pairs and triples dominate week one of the 15-day festival which is expected to attract over 25,000 fans. Only a handful of tickets are left for the final day on Saturday August 7.

Scotland is one of the world's strongest nations in the sport and our massive bowls community has embraced what will be the biggest event ever held here.

At the last World Championships in South Africa, Scotland took gold in the pairs through Marshall and Sneddon while in the triples Robert Marshall, Willie Wood and Jim McIntyre captured bronze. In the fours Wood, Marshall, Sneddon and McIntyre scooped bronze while in the overall team competition Scotland were awarded silver.

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GOLDEN DUO: Tattie with doubles partner George Sneddon