A breakaway pool league in Blackburn is celebrating their second birthday.

The Blackburn Independent Pool League was launched in 2011 after several clubs quit the Thwaites Pool League in the town searching for a fresh challenge.

They initially formed the league with one league of ten clubs - but are now operating successfully with 21 teams.

Chairman Dave Phoenix was the driving force behind the rebel league and he said: “We’ve gone from strength to strength and it needed to happen because the whole pool scene had gone a bit stale.

“We wanted to make it a bit more of a fairer competition, with better prize money, extra trophies, cheaper entry fees and much more incentive for the players.

“I think it has proved really successful, both in terms of lifting the profile of the sport in Blackburn, and helping the pubs.

“Pub landlords are really struggling at the moment to keep going, but all our fixtures are held in public houses and hopefully that is going to help them too.”

Florence won the A League last season and Phoenix added: “They’ve set the benchmark for the league, they have fantastic players are were worthy winners.

“We are very proud of the way the league has developed and of all the excellent players we continue to attract.”