WORCESTER badminton star Simon Ar-cher is today basking in the glory of winning his 14th English national title.

The 30-year-old grabbed the glory when he and his new partner Donna Kellogg triumphed in the mixed doubles finals of the English Championships at Manchester Velodrome.

They lifted the title with a 15-5, 15-3 victory over Kristian Roebuck (Derbys) and Liza Parker (Herts).

Archer said today: "It was fantastic, particularly as I've had so many injuries over the last two years.

"It's also nice to play with a partner who is world class. She just keeps getting better.

"We work well on and off the court which I think is important. If things go wrong you have got to be able to talk to your partner.

"But it was great to get another win. I was stuck on 13. I'm not superstitious, but it is nice to get to 14."

Archer had been marooned on 13 since 2001 with injuries preventing him from adding to his impressive list of titles.

Derby-based Kellogg said: "I'm so chuffed. Simon helped me a lot."

On their way to the final they beat Adam Smith (Avon) and Dawn Johnson (Yorks) 15-0, 15-4 in the quarter-final and Robert Blair (Leics) and Natalie Munt (Herts) 15-11 and 15-8 in the semis.

It was Olympic bronze and Commonwealth gold medallist Archer's sixth mixed crown following wins with Jo Goode and Gail Emms.

Together with Blair, Archer reached the semi-final of the men's doubles where they lost 15-5, 15-8 to Roebuck and David Lindley (Notts).

In the quarter-final they beat Stephen Foster (Yorks) and Ashley Thilthorpe (Avon) 15-9, 15-12.

Archer returned from Manchester injury-free and this week plans to top up his overall fitness.

"I was really fatigued after the men's final, not particularly because of that but from the quantity of matches I've had to play recently. It will be nice to get in a full week of physical training," he said.

His hectic programme continues on Sunday when he jets out to play in a men's team event in Slovakia.