A Sittingbourne businessman has won £28,800 in a high stakes poker game.

Ian Hunter, 56, held his metal and gave some of the world's top poker players a pasting to win the Super High Roller Event of the 888poker Live London Festival.

He pitted his skills against a line-up of Texas Hold 'Em superstars and lifted the trophy and prize money at the Card Room, part of Aspers Casino in Stratford, east London.

Ian, who owns and runs Dore Metal Services in Cremers Road, Dolphin Park, said: “It was a privilege to play against these guys.”

He was actually the first person to register for the £5,000 event and had no idea who he would be up against.

He said: “I didn’t realise it was going to be such a formidable table.

"But it was an incredible atmosphere and played in the friendliest of spirits.

“I had the time of my life. It was an unforgettable experience.

“I was so excited that I was even showing my winning hands, which I know is not the smartest thing to do.

“I was giving away far too much information for a poker player, especially against these superstars.

"But I was getting an amazing run of cards and couldn’t seem to lose.”

Ian, who loves golf and supporting Manchester United, also enjoys high stakes poker online.

Earlier this year he finished fourth in a major event and collected $100,000.

His last "cash" in a live event was finishing 23rd at a tournament in London where he won £900.

Ian, who employs 50 staff at his depots in Sittingbourne, Bristol and Hitchen, has owned the business for 18 years.

It supplies aluminium to nuclear power plants and for the tour stages of Kylie Minogue and Take That.

His wife Rosalind, 54, is the company secretary.

Their sons Tom, 32, who also plays poker, and David, 29, work in the business.

Their 26-year-old daughter Holly is a medical researcher.

Ian is now looking forward to taking his family on holiday to the Bahamas where there just happens to be a major poker tournament taking place.

Next up is the 888poker Live London Festival in February.

For more information visit www.888poker.com