WHEN champion pool player Philip Burford first picked up a cue he was as short as the table he was playing on.

The seven-year-old had to stand on beer crates to get anywhere near the balls.

But seven years and a lot of practice later, he is one step from turning his childhood hobby into a profession, after winning his first major tournament.

Philip, 14, from the Brankin Moor area of Darlington, won the Junior British Pool Players northern regional championship in Doncaster last Saturday.

He was competing against young people from all over the North, and has qualified for the national finals in St Albans in June.

If he wins he will go on to compete in a European tournament.

Philip, who would like to be a professional pool player, said: "Some of the games were easy, some weren't. I won the final by 11 frames to seven.

"I am very happy to have won and look forward to the next round, I am not expecting to win, but I am going to go along and have fun."

Philip, a Year 9 pupil at Hurworth School of Maths and Computing, is on the local pool circuit and spotted the poster advertising the competition in Rileys in Bondgate.

Philip and his father Jez travelled to Doncaster for the competition.

Philip said: "My dad and I just went down there to see what the standard was like." His victory has netted him a year's free membership to the British Pool Players Association, which means he can take part in more competitions, many of which are on a Saturday.

Philip lives with his dad, mum Megan and sister Rachael, 16.

He is also looking for sponsorship. If you think you can help him please call reporter Olivia Richwald at the Advertiser's sister paper The Northern Echo on (01325) 505069.