The 22-year-old recently qualified assistant at Bridlington Links had been impressive throughout the tournament but for half the final round was always playing catch-up to David Clark who moved three ahead at one stage.

But when the Morpeth man let down his guard and bogeyed the 10th and 12th holes, Belt was quick to take advantage.

“That was the turning point,” he said. “I reduced the gap to one and realised I had a great chance to win.”

And Clark made his task much easier as the 13th became his unlucky hole, hitting a shot against a staked tree which cost him a double bogey then leaking another at the next.

“He had a couple of pieces of bad luck and I took full advantage,” said Belt, the youngest winner of the event – one year after Matfen Hall’s John Harrison had become the oldest at 48.

He put more space between him and his rivals with a seven iron to less than a foot at the short 17th.

And the margin became three when Clark and first round leader Vince Guest, from Teesside, bogeyed the last.

Belt signed off with 69, nine-under-par all told, Clark had a 74, Guest 72 and were joined in second place by Selby’s Nick Ludwell who posted 71.

Meanwhile, Belt revealed he always dreamt of playing football for Hull City when he was a lad. But after failing to make the grade he turned to golf – and has never looked back.

“I was always a half-decent player,” he said. “I’ve won a few things in Yorkshire including the Mizuno Assistants’ Order of Merit for the last two year and I am planning to try to win my card for the Asian Tour later this season after narrowly missing out last time.”

He attributed his success to his mind coach Mark Nesti who he has been consulting for the past three weeks.

And he also thanked playing partners Clark and Guest for giving him experience as well as encouragement.

Meanwhile, defending champion Harrison closed with 72 to tie 10th on minus two.

Alex wishes to thank his sponsors Lloyd Dowson, Alan Bell Mortgages, Pineapple Joes, Bridlington Links and Nicholas Belt (Estate Agency) Ltd.

Full scores on pga.info (click on North Region then Tournaments).