A LOCAL inventor is hoping to "pocket" a small fortune and chalk up a success with his revolutionary new creation.

And soon pub-goers across the country could be "cueing up" to play Whirlpool - the brainchild of Mr Peter West.

"I've called it that because it's round and it draws you in," said 52-year-old Mr West of his circular pool/snooker table.

"I first thought of the idea in 1985 when I was carrying a toy snooker table into the warehouse where I worked in Manchester. I told my friends, but they just laughed at it and likened it to a square wheel.

"The idea wouldn't go away and I was intrigued to know how balls would react on a round cushion. It wasn't until I was made redundant in 1994 that I could devote time to developing the idea."

By the end of the year he had already built the prototype, using his front room as a workshop.

"I invited my nephew, Paul, to play the first game and, although he laughed at it initially, he soon became hooked."

The game will have a larger audience in January, however, when it is displayed and demonstrated at the World Trade Fair in London's Earls Court.

Gatley Engineering in Manchester liked Mr West's idea so much that they decided to manufacture it commercially, and Whirlpool should be on sale next year.

Ironically, Mr West, who lives in Rupert Street, Radcliffe, is not a big snooker fan, but professional players who have tried the game have given it a thumbs-up.

"The unique thing about it is that three players can play two different games on the table: one a quicker form of snooker and the other a more exciting version of pool. They are both new and challenging games, but are easy to play," said Mr West.

The shape of the table is not the only unusual thing about Whirlpool. It has a central cushion and there are only three pockets.

"The only problem is every time I play I get beaten!" laughed Mr West.

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