FANCY yourself as a bit of a demon on the old pool table? Now you've got the chance to pit your cueing skills against the best players the world has to offer. More than 400 professional pool masters from all around the globe will be taking part in the first ever World 8-Ball Pool Championships to be held at the Dome in Morecambe starting next Sunday (June 2).

And local pool players will have the chance to spring a surprise on the world's top stars by lining up in the prestigious world open singles tournament.

The inaugural championships, organised by the European and UK Pool Federation, runs for a week and will draw 17 national teams to the town with players competing for a prize fund of almost £10,000.

The main features of the competition, a professional pool players organisation ranking event, are:

the men's world team championship.

the women's world team championship.

the world amateur women's competition, and

the world open singles tournament.

Michael Lambert, the European and UK Pool Federation chairman, said: "Both Morecambe and the Dome offer a wide range of facilities for players and spectators and the sheer size of our event, the quality of players and nation's participating, guarantees a skilful, exciting and enjoyable event."

Spectators are welcome everyday at the event which runs until Friday June 7 and entry is free of charge. Side shows, clinics and stalls will also be running inside the Dome.

For those people who want to take their chances in the world open singles tournament, entry costs £25 and forms can be obtained from Michael Lambert on (01268) 571883 or simply be turning up at the Dome on Morecambe prom at 10am on Sunday June 2.

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