'I want to be the best seagull screecher in Europe'

A geography teacher from Kent set to take part in the European Seagull Screeching Championship this weekend has joked that it could be one of his "biggest regrets".

Sam, who lives in Rochester, will see his impression of a seagull judged as part of a competition being held in the Belgian town of De Panne to promote a positive image of the coastal birds.

The 38-year-old said while his decision to enter has been met with "bewilderment" from some people, his wife, who he met while at the University of Brighton, was "not as surprised as most".

"I like experiences, I like saying yes to things. I want to show my kids that you can say yes, you can grasp opportunities," he said.

Sam was inspired to put his name forward by his love of Playing the Moldovans at Tennis, a book - and subsequent TV programme - by comedian Tony Hawks documenting his quest to track down all 11 members of the Moldovan national football team and beat them at tennis.

For Sam, who has two children aged three and eight, the challenge is to have the best seagull screech in all of Europe.

"If you can set yourself a target, you can achieve it," he said.

The teacher said his children were delighted he had entered the competition, although they thought it was "a bit more prestigious than it actually is".

Alongside the individual competition, there is also a children's and group category.

Last year's children's category was won by 11-year-old Cooper from Chesterfield, who also won the competition in 2024.

Cooper was also the guest of honour at the first ever Weston-super-Mare Seagull Screeching Championship last year.

As for the group category, Sam said he has already asked his wife if the family can "enter as a flock next year".

"You only get one shot at life, and this could be one of my biggest regrets, but you don't know until you try."

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.