SNOOKER'S stars will be arriving at the Guild Hall for a fortnight in October for the WSA Grand Prix.

Among the usual sprinkling of stars, including Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins and Jimmy white will be world number six Stephen Lee, who will be defending the title from October 11.

Lee, who defeated Marco Fu 10-2 in last year's final, completed his first ever victories over Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan to win the Cable TV International Millennium Cup in Hong Kong.

But despite his impressive performance in the far east, Lee is preparing to put on a good show at the Guild Hall in a bid to push him further up the world rankings.

He said: "It was a pity the Hong Kong event wasn't like the Grand Prix, a ranking event. I would love to win that one again as only Hendry has won the event in successive years."

Lee's involvement in the Grand Prix, like the rest of the top 32, will be delayed until the third round because this season, for the first time, 128 players will be in action at the Guild Hall.

The 24-year-old will celebrate his next birthday on he next day of the tournament, and added he is hoping for the best present possible - a chance to strut his stuff against one of the world's best players.

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