SEVEN of the world's top snooker players are coming to Trowbridge, thanks to the Wiltshire Times.

We are bringing the 2004 Premier Snooker League to the Civic Hall in February as part of our 150th anniversary celebrations.

World number one Mark Williams, five-times league champion Stephen Hendry, and veteran Steve Davis are in the star-packed line-up.

Snooker's pin-up boy Paul Hunter, Hong Kong star Marco Fu, Scotland's John Higgins and crowd favourite Jimmy White MBE have also confirmed their places.

As well as bringing top-drawer snooker talent to the county town we will be offering one lucky reader the chance of playing a frame against one of the competitors. Plans for an amateur competition are in the early stages and full details will be announced soon. The league is one of the most prestigious competitions in snooker, with Marco Fu hoping to reclaim the crown he snatched from the hands of top-seeded Mark Williams last year.

Civic Hall manager and Pubwatch chairman Bill Austin said the event being shown on Sky Sports would put Trowbridge on the map.

"It is the most exciting televised event for years," he said.

"I have had a huge amount of interest already. To have seven of the world's best players under one roof is amazing."

Five league matches will be spread over two days, with Scottish dynamo Stephen Hendry taking on reigning champion Marco Fu for the opening bout on Valentine's Day at 4pm. In other mouthwatering ties crowd-pleaser Jimmy White will take on Mark Williams while Paul Hunter, dubbed the David Beckham of snooker, will face John Higgins. Altogether 21 league matches will be held at four venues across the country, with the final stages played at the Colwyn Bay Centre in north Wales. Each of the seven stars will play each other once, with each match played over the best of eight frames. Two points are awarded for a win and one point for a four-set-all draw. Only four players will go through to the final stages.

The overall winner will scoop a £45,000 prize but £500 cash prizes are awarded for every frame won, meaning any player could potentially finish the league section without earning a single penny.

Steve Davis scooped the first Premier Snooker League title back in 1987.

Wiltshire Times editor Toby Granville said: "To see seven of the world's greatest snooker players competing at the Civic Hall will be a momentous occasion. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event and an amazing opportunity for an amateur player to take on one of the world's best."

Tickets are available from Civic Hall, Trowbridge. To book ring 01225 762439, anytime. Only 400 tickets are available for each show so first come first served basis. Prices are: Single Match £10; Saturday two match ticket £18; Sunday three match ticket £27; five match ticket for whole weekend £40; children £7 per match.