Katherine Rednall is hoping the famous Potters atmosphere can once again bring out the best in her when she bids for a third Ladies Singles title at the Just 2018 World Indoor Bowls Championships.

The popular tournament runs for 17 days from Friday, January 12 – and next month will mark the 20th occasion that the Potters Resort has staged bowls' most prestigious championships.

Rednall, a fashion and textiles student at Colchester Institute, is a two-time winner of the Ladies crown – the Ipswich bowler became the youngest ever champion as an 18-year-old in 2014 and claimed the trophy for a second time 11 months ago when she beat Ellen Falkner in the final.

Rednall, who will be 22 on January 7, said: 'It was brilliant to win it again. They say the first one is always the most difficult to win but it did feel as special. I think every time will feel special.'

The Suffolk ace will begin her title defence on the renowned portable blue rink on Saturday, January 20 when she faces fellow class act Julie Forrest, from Scotland.

Rednall added: 'Julie is top opposition. She has won the Scottish singles goodness knows how many times and she is just a brilliant, quality player. That will definitely be a hard game. I think my form is pretty good – I've just been selected for the Commonwealth Games (in Australia) next year and had plenty of trials for that – so I hope I can keep it up.'

Rednall has produced some brilliant bowls in recent years and seems to have the ability to raise her game to an exceptional level when playing in front of the capacity crowds at Potters.

She said: 'I'm always nervous walking out onto the blue carpet, which is quite rare because I don't normally get too nervous before a game of bowls. But it's the fact that you're in front of such a massive crowd, it's being televised and there's all the lights.

'It's just so professionally done that you feel you've got to do it justice. It is a huge stage. It really does make you knuckle down.'

Rednall will nip back and forth to attend Colchester Institute during the fortnight, but also plans to soak up the unique buzz at Potters Resort –at Hopton-On-Sea – during the championships.

She added: 'Potters look after us so well. It couldn't be better – I think everybody would agree with that. Being in Potters with everybody for that couple of weeks is brilliant. You've got most of the top players in the world all in one place, so it's obviously buzzing.'

Rednall will get her first taste of the 2018 Championships when she competes in the first round of the Mixed Pairs on Friday, January 19. She will line up alongside Greg Harlow against Alex Marshall and Forrest.

Rednall is eying more success in that format, having won the title with Darren Burnett in 2016.

She said: 'I really look forward to the mixed pairs. All the men are brilliant to play with. The mixed pairs is probably the one that sets you up for your singles. You can get a good game on the carpet and get ready for it.'

The World Indoor Bowls Championships was originally brought to Potters Resort by the late Brian Potter. His son – and Potters Managing Director – John Potter has ensured the continuing association between the resort and indoor bowls' flagship event.

In 1997 work started on a six-rink international standard stadium at a total investment of £2.5m. The stadium officially opened in 1998 when Potters hosted the national England Ladies' Championships, which was such a success that the World Bowls Council moved the Championships to Potters the following year.