TOP veteran table tennis star Mick Kilden admits that he is lucky to be alive.

Mick, a proud "cockney" who now lives in Mottingham, was taking part in the Veterans World Championships in Manchester two years ago when his appendix burst.

He was rushed to hospital and was told by doctors that if he had attempted to drive home, with what Mick thought at the time was just a bad stomach ache, he would not have survived.

But he did, and now at the age of 49, Mick is pinging his way to fame in the North West Kent Table Tennis Association, of which he is the chairman.

Mick has been playing for the Oakwood Table Tennis Club, based at the Vickers Crayford Dartford Sports Centre for the past three years, but he has been playing the game since he was eight, starting out in youth clubs.

A qualified coach, Mick is extremely concerned about the future of his sport.

"The North West Kent League had six divisions five years ago, but is now down to four. It is hard to attract youngsters into the game. I started at a local youth club in Bow, East London. These clubs seem to have disappeared, which may account for youngsters hanging around on street corners," he said.

Mick is anxious to attract more young eople into the game. He says table tennis is rarely played in schools and thinks the format of the league should be changed to two-a-side teams.

"That means a match would consist of two singles and a doubles. Presently, there are three-a-side teams and I think it needs streamlining."