DAVID Coote bagged 12 strikes in succession to score a perfect 300 at the Kursaal.

The 43-year-old, who is secretary of the Tuesday Thames Trio League at the Southend venue, had been trying for more than 30 years to bag the maximum score.

And team-mate Bob Wren revealed Coote’s faultless game brought the venue to a standstill.

“All the teams stopped bowling when David reach the 10th frame, to see if he could attain his dream maximum,” said Wren.

“Cheers and applause rang out after the final strike and, he will kill me for saying this, but he did display a tear of joy once he realised what he had done.”