The Island won the honour of holding the millennium championships following negotiations with the World Bridge Federation in Tunisia where this year's event was held.

The tournament, the highlight of the bridge calendar and the international game's most prestigious event, is expected to attract more than 1,000 players from countries across the globe.

Although the contest began in Bermuda in 1950, it has now grown into an international event with finals being held all over the world.

The event, along with the Venice Cup Championships and The World Transnational Open Teams will be held for two weeks from January 8 at the Southampton Princess Hotel.

The last time the tournament was held on the Island was in 1975.