SNOOKER star Stephen Hendry has signed a new £100,000-plus sponsorship deal with Padiham-based snooker equipment firm Riley.

The two-year extension to his current contract, which involves the Scot endorsing Riley products, will take Hendry's association with the company to 17 years by the time it expires in 2002.

Current world champion Ken Doherty has also signed up to promote Riley and make personal appearances at the UK's 71 Riley Snooker Clubs for five years in a deal worth £150,000.

In addition, five other high-ranking Team GdeZ players have signed contracts.

Hendry, who will wear a Riley logo at tournaments as part of the deal, said :"I'm thrilled to be staying with Riley for at least another five years.

"I am determined to repay their faith in me by keeping my place at No 1 in the world and also by winning back my world title."

Riley's sales and marketing director Mark Foxley said: "These exciting deals with both Stephen and Ken, indisputably two of the world's top snooker players, fully endorse the Riley reputation for being the leading cue sports brand."

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