SNOOKER fans are snapping up tickets to the biggest sporting event in Trowbridge for years.

Seven of the world's top snooker players are coming to the Civic Hall in February for the 2004 Premier Snooker League, and it seems fans in west Wiltshire are determined to get in on the action.

With nearly 2,000 tickets for the five matches, spread over two days, plenty of fans will get the opportunity to see their heroes, but tickets are selling fast.

Civic Hall manager Bill Austin said the front three rows of all five league matches have already sold out and crowd-pleaser Jimmy White is emerging as one of the must-see players.

Mr Austin said: "I think Jimmy is turning out to be pretty sexy at the moment with tickets selling fast. Luckily for us he is playing on both days.

"I was hoping the demand would be like this for what is the biggest televised sporting event in Trowbridge for years.

"Since last week, when it came out in the paper, we have sold a phenomenal amount of tickets. We have been inundated with sales and inquiries."

Mr Austin, who heads up Trowbridge Pubwatch, said tickets did not arrive until Tuesday, but are being sent out as soon as sales are processed.

Hong Kong's Marco Fu, world number one Mark Williams, pin-up Paul Hunter, John Higgins and Stephen Hendry are among the contenders, with veterans Jimmy White and Steve Davies completing the line-up.

Details of an amateur competition, in which we are giving one lucky reader the chance to play a frame against one of the world's top players, will be announced soon.

The league is split into 21 matches played out at four venues across the country including Legends in Crewe, Greenock Sports Centre in Scotland and Peterlee Leisure Centre in County Durham. The final stages, featuring the four highest scoring players, will be held at the Colwyn Bay Centre, North Wales.

A cash prize of £45,000 will be on its way to the overall champion but there will be £500 cash prizes for every frame won.

Sky Sports will be televising the event.

MATCHES

Saturday February 14, 2004

4pm: Stephen Hendry v Marco Fu; 8pm: Jimmy White v Paul Hunter

Sunday February 15, 2004

12pm: Steve Davis v Mark Williams; 4pm: Paul Hunter v Marco Fu;

8pm: John Higgins v Stephen Hendry