FORMER world snooker champion Dennis Taylor will be the special guest when the Burnley and District Rapid Recruitment League stage their awards night at Ighten Leigh Social Club on Friday evening.

Taylor, who won the world crown in 1985, will play representatives from the league’s most successful sides, including winners from the knockout competitions as well as order of merit winners.

He has strong links to East Lancashire having lived in the area for many years.

The league’s secretary Neil McGovern said: “It is a great honour to welcome a snooker great like Dennis Taylor to present the prizes and it promises to be a wonderful evening.

“I’m sure many of the lads will be looking forward to meeting Dennis, and he will also be performing his trick shot routine, always something that snooker fans enjoy.”

Neil added: “It is free admission and the evening is open to anyone who’d like to come along. Supper will also be available.”

Meanwhile, the Foster’s 2015 Golden Cue competition is in full flow with competitors having reached the last 16 of the tournament. Worsthorne’s Tony Greenwood fired a sparkling break of 51 in his two frames to nil victory over Clitheroe kid Mark Hitchen to reach the fourth round of the Small Table tournament.

Andy Bates, from the Lamb Club, clocked up victory by the same score against Thomas Wilkinson (St Andrews) ) while Peter Doyle (Shorthomers) had to fight hard for a 2-1 win over Lee Sharples (St Andrews) Dan Paton, from Rolls Royce, cruised into the next round of the Large Table tournament courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Grant Rob (Clitheroe Con).

Simon Blackwell (British Rail) was always on the right tracks, steaming to success against Mark Eyles.

Dom Emery, from Colne, was also in the winning groove, overpowering Zac Ashworth (Chatburn) - while Josh Foster (Broughton Road) edged past Paul Clark, also from Chatburn, 2-1.