JUDY Abel will be bidding for her third successive City of York Open Bowls ladies' singles title when the tournament gets under way on Monday.

Shipton's Abel could face her toughest challenge in the quarter-finals, where she is due to meet last year's beaten finalist Betty Richardson, of Bert Keech.

Reigning men's singles champion Paul Humphreys (Railway Amateur) will begin the defence of his title against D Preece (Railway Corin).

Hunphreys is in a difficult half of the draw including 2005 beaten finalist I Winter (Hull) and losing semi-finalist Eric Wilkinson (Railway Amateur).

Last year's mixed pairs winners Anne Peacock and Martin Foster (Shipton) face Jill Newsome and Colin Raper (North Duffield) in their first match and could meet 2005 runners-up Gill and Ray Clark (Tockwith) again in the final.

Men's pairs champions Alan Close and Eric Wilkinson (Railway Amateur) open with a tie against Ron Smith and Keith Nelson (Poppleton Road).

Last year's losing finalists Jim Mould and Graham Whiting (Hull) will not be competing due to a prior holiday commitment.

Carol Williams and Betty Richardson (York) begin their attempt to win the ladies' pairs title for the third year in a row with a first round clash against previous winners Sandra Grantham and Judy Abel (Shipton).

Under-18 champion Zoe Eagles (Railway Ladies) will be defending her title but could come under pressure from Nafferton's Dominic Kelly, who she beat in last year's final.

Matches will take place at Clarence Gardens, West Bank Park and Glen Gardens and a late surge in entries for the 35th running of the annual tournament will mean similar-sized fields to 2005.

The Rt Hon Lord Mayor of York, Coun Janet Hopton and the Lord Mayor's Consort Mr David Hopton are due to officially open this year's event at 9.45am on Monday in Clarence Gardens.

Senior finals will be held on Saturday, July 29 at Clarence Gardens from 1.30pm. The juniors competition will be played to a finish on Friday.