A gay barman has hailed his lucky pants for helping him win a place in the final of Mr Gay UK at the end of the month.

James Barron, who works at the Wheatsheaf pub, in Wantage Road, Didcot, was persuaded by his friends to enter the competition at Oxford Pride last month.

The 23-year-old, along with 11 other contestants, was asked to strip down to his boxer shorts on stage and chat about his job, social life, his love for clubbing in London and Brighton, music and fashion.

Mr Barron, who went to St Birinus School, in Didcot, said: "I didn't do anything amazing like sing or dance, but I did have my lucky pants on, which I bought from good old reliable Primark.

"I'm usually an outgoing person and find it easy to talk to people. My family are being really supportive and my mates think it's fantastic."

Mr Barron is going all out to prepare for the Grand Final in Blackpool on August, 31 with visits to the gym, a new haircut and topping up his tan. He will join 29 other finalists from around the country at the Flamingo nightclub, to strut his stuff on stage in a swimwear round before donning a James Bond-style suit to take part in the 'shaken, not stirred' round.

Should he make the final six in the competition, Mr Barron will take part in the final 'fantasy' round to impress the judges with an outfit which most reflects his 'crazy and random' personality, before Mr Gay UK is finally chosen. Mr Barron added: "If I win I will be touring the UK at various events and get my picture in lots of magazines."

Mr Barron, who came out when he was aged 17, said: "My family are fine with me being gay. My mum was slightly upset, because she was worried I would lose my friends."