A TRAILBLAZING snooker player had her biggest break yet when she collected an MBE for services to the sport.

Vera Selby was made Member of the Order of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

The 85-year-old, from Newcastle, was awarded the medal in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

Born in Richmond, North Yorkshire, Vera took up billiards at the age of 36 and won the first women’s World Championship held in 1976, regaining the title in 1981.

She also won the British billiards title nine times and also appeared on the popular TV quiz show Countdown.

Interviewed recently by the Northern Echo, she said: “I’m tired of reading of people in their 50s and 60s acting and talking like they’re old. It’s about keeping active”.

During the ceremony, the veteran snooker player rubbed shoulders with the likes of singer Van Morrison, collecting his knighthood, and journalist Caroline Criado-Perez, who led the successful campaign to keep a woman on a British banknote.