SNOOKER: Former World Champion Ken Doherty took on some of Wiltshire's top players in an exhibition event in Trowbridge.

The Irishman, who won the World Championship in 1997, was at Trowbridge Snooker Club to help raise funds for a trust set up in memory of Paul Hunter.

His opponents ranged both in age and ability and included Westbury's eight-year-old Pocket Rocket' Thyas Evans, and promising young Trowbridge cueman Adam Wicheard, who has recovered from a career and potentially life-threatening neck injury.

Wicheard, 22, who has his sights set on turning professional did his prospects no harm when he whitewashed Doherty 105-0.

Thyas also showed why he could one day emulate Doherty and his hero Ronnie O'Sullivan by lifting the World Championship. Despite his small stature and tender years, he impressed the crowd of more than 100 people with a fine display of long-potting and showmanship.

The event was organised by Trowbridge snooker star Stephen Lee, who was a good friend of Hunter who lost his battle with cancer in October last year.

Throughout the evening more than 10 players got to test themselves against Doherty, each playing him in one frame.

Adam's father Steve Wicheard said: "There must have been at least between 100 and 120 people who came along, and everyone had a really good time.

"Ken was brilliant and was really up for playing snooker against all his opponents, but he was also very good entertainment and funny.

"Adam did well and I was really proud of him and the young eight-year-old lad played very well."

Astrit Tafa, who was a patient in Salisbury's Odstock Hospital at the same time as Wicheard last year, was a special guest on Friday.

The Wicheards organised a snooker marathon to raise money to buy him a light-weight wheelchair, and he met some of those who had raised funds on his behalf.