The Great Yarmouth-based King was a worthy winner

King has often been described as a nearly man after losing several finals, including the World Championship against Andy Fordham earlier this year.

But he held his nerve against Tony O'Shea and eventually secured victory by seven sets to six.

"I've waited so long for this and I've won a world title at last," said King.

O'Shea, who defeated Ted Hankey in another marathon to progress to the final, won the first set with a 76 checkout.

But King, a 6-2 winner over Australian Tony David in his last-four clash, fought back to level with a successful attempt at double 16.

I put everything I had into that final, especially the last leg Mervyn King

The next four sets were shared but it was O'Shea who upped his game after the interval to take the seventh, which included a superb 161 checkout.

The Stockport thrower also won the next set before King hit back to reduce the deficit.

In a real see-saw battle, O'Shea took out double 16 twice to move within one set of victory and his first major title.

But King suddenly found his range again and reeled off the next four legs to set up a deciding set.

Both players scored well to make it 1-1 in the 13th and take the game into a tie-break situation.

The pressure was beginning to build at The Spa and they both won a leg each to make it all square again.