NORTH West snooker players better watch their backs.

For in next month's Inter-town Snooker Championships there's one hot shot who's got his mind set on winning the title.

And he's only just turned 16!

Young cuemaster Joe Nolan came a close runner up to Glenn Stevenson in last year's final, and with the Burnley ace out of the picture this year it's looking good.

"Glenn hasn't entered this year so I'm feeling really confident," said Joe, a pupil at Primet High School, Colne.

"I've been on great form recently, in fact, in a match for Colne Snooker Club just last week I got a 108 break against Mark Bradley from the B team -- and it's the third highest break in the Skipton and District Snooker League so far this season."

Not bad for a 16-year-old.

"I've been playing snooker for about six years now, I love it. Every bit of spare time I get I'm down at the club practising, and I'd love to become a professional one day."

Last year was the first ever Inter-towns Snooker Championship held at the Colne Snooker Club, and manager Chris Hyatt thought it was so successful that he decided to make it an annual fixture.

"The competition is strictly for non-professionals only, I think that makes it fairer for the pub team players," said Chris.

"We had a massive 68 entries last year, players travelled from places such as Skipton, Settle, Rawtenstall and Barnoldswick.

"There weren't too many entries from Burnley itself which was a bit disappointing -- I'm hoping for more this year.

"And I would also like to see some of the quality players from Blackburn and the surrounding areas enter too.

"Plus, this year we've got a fully licensed bar -- that should attract a few more people!"

There's certainly a lot of prize money at stake anyway.

"The competition costs just £10 to enter and there is a massive £750 up for grabs for the winner and £250 for the runner up.

"But if over 100 people enter this year it's likely to be even more than that."

So who's looking favourite for the title this year?

"It all depends on who enters but if last year is anything to go by I'd say the odds are in young Joe Nolan's favour," said Chris.

"He's been putting in some excellent performances this season and looks to be improving all the time.

"And I never see him without a cue in his hand! He's definitely one to watch for the future. But there are a lot of good players in the area, people such as Peter Roach and Brian Shears, we'll just have to wait and see." The competition starts on the 11th March and the dates of matches will be arranged after the draw.

"It's a straight knockout, the best of five frames," added Chris. "We're hoping to have the competition finished by the end of May, it's just a question of arranging suitable times for the matches to be played at the convenience of both players - and it depends on how many enter!"

For more information you can contact Chris Hyatt on 01282 863201 or 01282 860243.