A partially-sighted Oxfordshire sportsman has been hailed as a "community champion" by defying the odds and setting up Oxford's first blind bowling team.

Kevin Pamphilon, of St John's Road, Tackley, set up the Dreaming Spires 10-pin bowling team and led it victory in a national final last month.

Mr Pamphilon, 31, who has been partially-sighted since birth, said people were often surprised when they realised he was registered blind.

He said: "When I bowl, people think I'm ok. Then I get my binoculars out to see how many pins I knocked down."

Bumpers are placed down the side of the lanes to help the team hit the pins, and those who are completely blind are directed by fully-sighted helpers.

The teams operate a handicap system based on individuals' sight classifications.

Mr Pamphilon, who is a Scout leader for first Tackley and Heyford Scout Group, also plays cricket.

He uses a football-sized cricket ball filled with ball bearings so he can hear it coming.

He said: "I get on the train with a white stick and my cricket bat -- I do get some funny looks."

The Dreaming Spires bowling team, which practises at the Kassam Stadium, came second in the British Blind Sport winter league final in Sheffield last month.

Mr Pamphilon said: "I'm surprised by our success because we are all new players."

The team has up to eight members and was set up last May. Mr Pamphilon received a £1,300 community champions award in October to buy bowling balls, shirts, and other equipment.

He urged other people to apply for the grants, which are funded by the Department for Education and Skills and administered by Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action.

He said: "There must be lots of people out there with ideas."

Alison Baxter, chief executive of Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action, said the grants could help people make a real difference.

She said: "There are people out there who could do things that would make a significant difference to life in their local area. It is about supporting people who are prepared to put in time voluntarily.

"Some of the grants have made a big difference.

"They have turned out to be the seed which germinated into a full-scale project."

The community champions fund awards grants between £500 and £2,000. The deadline for the current round of grants has passed but there is likely to be a second round in September. Call 01865 251946 for details.