Stars top of snooker class

Snooker stars will be at a Shropshire school later this month for an exhibition event in memory of Masters champion Paul Hunter who lost his battle with cancer last year.Potters Ian McCulloch and Ricky Waldon, ranked 26 and 36 in the world, will be at the Lakelands School, in Ellesmere, for the event on March 29.

The event will also celebrate the opening of a snooker club at the school and four professional seven by four foot tables have been bought for young players.

Headmaster Ryan Jervis said the event had been set up by their head of art and design Andy Richards and school partnership development manager Fiona Edwards.

He said: "They are pleased to announce a professional snooker evening will take place in memory of Paul Hunter, a young snooker player who sadly died of cancer.

"Two professional snooker players Ian McCulloch and Ricky Waldon will play the best of three matches on the evening.

"There will also be four top amateur players between the ages of 14 and 15 who will also play a frame ."

Yorkshireman Hunter won the Masters at Wembley three times and his death at the age of 27 rocked the professional snooker world as he was a popular player.

Mr Jervis revealed that cash raised from the event would go towards the Paul Hunter Snooker Foundation which was set up to to provide opportunities for under-privileged and disabled children to enjoy the sport.

He added: "The evening will also be a celebration of the opening of a snooker club that will be run by Mr Richards at lunchtime and after school.

"This will give pupils the opportunity to learn the basics of snooker and to move on to the more complex areas of professional play and safety."

The professional snooker event will be on from 6pm to 9pm and tickets cost £3 and there will be raffle prizes up for grabs.

Staff are hoping for a good show of support and tickets are available from the school's reception.

By Oliver Cartwright