PING pong balls were flying at Preston College during the annual Table Tennis Championships.

Nine tables were set up for the all-day event as winners prepared to defend their titles with a flick of the wrist at the St Vincent's Road campus.

Reigning champion Barry Crook, was fighting to keep his three major titles. Barry, a member of Deepdale Table Tennis club, won the open and veterans singles and partnered with Tony Rigby for the open doubles event, last season.

A new face won the open singles title this year as Andy Lebutt beat Adam Linton in the final. Dean Walmsley and Paul Robinson won the doubles event. But Barry did hold on to his veterans title by defeating Paul Shirley in the final.

The junior singles was wide open as last season's champion Hannah Roberts did not enter, but despite a strong challenge from Robert Parker, Dave Marshall scooped the title.

Chairman and announcer for the event, Gerry Stokes, said: "It was a very good day and great to see some young blood coming through.

"There was a good turnout for events and a lot of spectators."