Snooker ace Paul Hunter took on Nelson's wonderkid Kamran Ashraf when he made a charity appearance in Lancashire.

The world number four, who is battling against colon cancer, was the star attraction at an annual charity event organised by the North Lancs Training Group and held at Hyndburn Sports Centre.

The event, which has been running for 10 years and raises money for Maunday Relief and Christies for Cancer, has welcomed the likes of Steve Davis and Ronnie O'Sullivan down the years but Hunter proved a massive draw. Many local youngsters, who had taken part in qualifying matches over a nine-week period, played the finals of their respective age group during the afternoon to earn to right to take on the star turn.

Thirteen year-old Kamran had set up the meeting with Hunter after winning the U16 and U19 tournaments. Simon Blackwell (Padiham Snooker Club) won both the U12 and U14 competitions. Simon and Kamran, along with beaten finalists Sean Smith, Farakh Ajaib and Jack Dady, each played a frame of snooker against Hunter but was little more than childs play for the Leeds potter.

He made a break of 107 in the first frame, missed the black of its spot while on 93 in the second, made a clearance of 136 in the third and a 135 clearance in the fourth. Following the frames against the winning youngsters, Hunter, along with Accringtons Colin Morton, the English Amateur Team Captain, and Jimmy Michie, ranked 55 in the world, entertained the 500 spectators with a speed snooker challenge.

And Hunter was the only one to complete the challenge, which alone raised £676 for charity. Chris Lovell of NLTG said the event was a big success. He said "Paul was a fantastic ambassador for the game. It was a memorable and very successful evening for all concerned."