Plan ahead

Plan ahead

After more than a decade the north-east will be back on the snooker map when Sunderland's Crowtree Centre plays host to the pounds 330,000 Grand Prix event from 16-29 October.

Not since 1984, when the Jameson International was staged in Newcastle, has 'big time snooker' visited this section of the country. Now the Crowtree Centre will be home to the first UK based professional ranking tournament of the 1995/96 season.

The quality of the event is beyond question. The title holder John Higgins, World Champion Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Jimmy White will all be attending, ensuring a large attendance.

World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association Grand Prix. Crowtree Centre, Sunderland 16-29 October 1995.

The action starts on Monday 16 October with the tournament run on the 'roll-on roll-off' format - when four tables are in continuous use - until the 19th. For those first four days play will commence at 12 noon. Spectators arriving before before 6.0 can watch a full day's snooker for pounds 3.

From Saturday 21 until Tuesday 24 October entry will be pounds 4 for everyone with prices increasing to pounds 5 for 26 and 27 October.

For the semi-finals tickets will be priced at pounds 7 while the final, on 29 October, will be pounds 10 for the afternoon frames and pounds 12 for the evening session. Tel: 0191 512 0086 for box office enquiries or 0117 974 4491 for additional information.

Details of forthcoming events with information on tickets and venues should be sent to: The Sports Desk, The Independent, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DL. Tel: 0171 293 2503. Fax: 0171 293 2894.