SNOOKER fans were celebrating a big break last night after it was disclosed that one of the sport's major tournaments is to be staged in the region.

The UK Snooker Championships are coming to York, after the city's Barbican Centre secured a three-year deal to act as host.

The event will bring many of the world's top players to the city and should also prove to be a major boost for winter tourism.

And the 1,500-seat centre is expected to be packed for the 20-day tournament in December.

The city's director of commercials services, Richard White, said: "The event carries nine days of full coverage by the BBC and will raise the profile of both the Barbican and York at national and international level."

Chief executive of World Snooker, Jim Mackenzie, said: "York is a beautiful city and the players are looking forward to their visit. We need to attract sizeable audiences to to create the right atmosphere, so I'm hoping residents will give us their full support."

For the past three years the event has been held in Bournemouth. Before that it was held in Preston for 20 years.