LG Cup holder Chris Small revealed his private agony when he returned to Preston to defend his title at the Guild Hall next week.

Chris, who was here to promote the event, suffers from an incurable progressive spinal disease which leaves him in constant pain.

He has to have injections to enable him to play and his condition is so bad he cannot lift his seven-year-old daughter.

But despite the disease, which he has had since he was young although it was was only diagnosed two years ago, he is now the 18th ranked snooker player in the world.

He has been playing professionally for 13 years with the highlight being his LG Cup victory at Preston last year.

Chris accepts he is lucky to be able to make a living playing the sport he loves.

"I know my condition will get worse but I just count myself lucky that I have been able to play snooker for so long.

"It does affect my everyday life which is made difficult.

"I couldn't even lift my daughter Danielle last week, it was so painfull. That's hard to take but there are people worse off than me.

"I have been told there is no cure and that this disease affects just one per cent of the popiulation. But when you think I was told by a doctor five years ago that I would never play snooker again I haven't done too badly."

Chris says he's looking forward to plying in Preston again but thinks it will be to tough to retain his cup.

"It's always special playing here. I love it and I don't just mean because I won last year. We always get great crowds and it makes for a great atmosphere. But with all top players competing it will will be difficult to win agian. Any player could win this cup because the standard is so high.

"But whatever happens I'll just go out there and enjoy it."

The tournament starts at the Guild Hall on October 4. For tickets ring 01772 258858.