A PROUD father from Accrington is shouting 'Go Jonny go, go, go' as he is convinced his 10-year-old son will be a professional by the age of 17.

Tommy Hannan, of Willows Lane, believes his son Jonny has all the makings a future star and he is eager to find out just how good he is.

"Jonny is only 10, but already he's making breaks of 30 upwards on a regular basis," he said. "He practices at Rileys Snooker Club in Blackburn five days a week and he won the junior league down there just recently, where he came up against 15 and 16-year-olds.

"I can guarantee that he will turn pro within the next six or seven years, but until then we want people of similar or even greater ability to come and challenge him.

"Shokat Ali, who reached number 34 in the world, is the only professional we've ever had from Accrington. I want snooker to get exciting in East Lancs again and I think Jonny's the kid to do it."

Jonny, who starts at Our Lady and St John High School, Blackburn, in September, trains for at least three hours a day at Rileys, where his talent was spotted by club owner Darren Heggie.

"Darren was the one who realised Jonny's potential and we've got a lot to thank him for.

"In terms of ability he's got everything. He's got the cue action, the stance and the confidence.

"He doesn't get nervous playing in front of a crowd, he hates having to train on his own."

Tommy added: "He's a little star and I'm so excited about his prospects for the future. Little Jimmy White is what we call him. He's just in love with the sport. If he's not playing the game then he's watching it. He loves watching tapes of Alex Higgins from the 80s." Tommy had chances to become a professional but failed to get a sponsor.

Now he coaches 18 local kids -- for which Jonny is the pick of the bunch.

"I'm not just saying that as a biased father. He's very exciting to watch and he takes in everything I say.

"With some kids his age, if you tell them to do one thing then it's gone out the other ear within a matter of minutes, but not with Jonny.

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Jonny first picked up a cue aged just two, when he would practice on his own 3ft table. The family now have a 6ft table in their garage, where Jonny can be found most days.

Jonny's highest break currently stands at 53, but after seeing Mark Williams make a 147 at the World Championships in Sheffield earlier this year, the Accrington protg won't stop until he gets his hands on the Embassy title one day.