Two top snooker players were detained by police today over alleged irregular betting patterns during a UK Championship match in Telford.

Stephen Maguire, 28, and Jamie Burnett, 33, were helping Strathclyde Police with their inquiries in connection with the outcome of the game on December 15. The investigation relates to the result of the first round match at the Telford International Centre.

The clash between Maguire and Burnett, who are both Scottish, was subject to investigations by World Snooker and the Gambling Commission.

The match was won 9-3 by the world No 2 Maguire.

Maguire won after Burnett failed to pot a black ball that would have reduced his arrears to 8-4.

A Strathclyde Police police spokesman said today: “Our economic crime unit can confirm that two men, aged 28 and 33, have been detained and are assisting Strathclyde Police with their inquiries into the alleged irregular betting pattern associated with the snooker match involving Stephen Maguire and Jamie Burnett.”

Before the match, World Snooker was contacted by bookmakers reporting suspicious betting patterns on the outcome.

They said that there was heavy gambling on a 9-3 scoreline – provoking serious concern from the bookmakers.

Both men have continuously and strenuously denied any wrongdoing in the match and they have pledged to co-operate with any investigations into the matter.

Speaking after the match in December, Burnett had admitted he was aware of the allegations during that controversial final frame and blamed the pressure for his misses.

“At the start of the last frame I thought to myself I need to try my life off here, just in case there’s something being said,” he said.

“I was doing my shots thinking I need to get this in case people start talking and I just felt under so much pressure – it’s probably the most pressure I’ve felt in my life, to be honest.”

The UK Championship has been held in Telford for the last two years.

The event is set to be staged in the town again this December.