BLACKPOOL'S Paul Carpenter is getting ready for his big break - he's competing in the Hamlet American Pool Championship 1999.

And Paul, from Leicester Road, says he's more than ready to battle it out with the 67 other finalists in Sheffield on Saturday (August 21).

Paul (pictured) gave himself the chance to represent Blackpool in the country's largest non-professional pool championship after winning the regional qualifying round at Riley's American Pool and Snooker Club on Church Road.

Now the 33-year-old is hoping to chalk up more victories and pocket the title and first prize of £2,500. He said: "I was surprised when I won at Riley's because I'd only got involved in the competition after some friends said they were going to enter.

"But I'm not nervous about the finals - you've just got to go out there and do your best. There's going to be a lot of good players in Sheffield on the day and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Since taking up snooker at 14, Paul has played in several competitions featuring professional pool players, proving he can handle the pressure.

"The furthest I've got in those competitions is to the last eight," said Paul. "Those matches should hold me in pretty good stead.

"I never look to the draw or who I'm going to play in the next round. I just concentrate on winning my match.

"But I love playing in competitions. They're always good fun and seem to bring the best out in me. My bottle is pretty good and we'll have to see what happens on the day.

"I'm Blackpool born and bred so I'm proud to be representing the town in the final. It's a great honour and I'm sure I'll do my best."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.