AN AVID snooker fan has told of his disgust at the price of tickets to watch the UK championships being staged in York next month.

As top international snooker players chalk their cues, ready for the 2004 UK Travis Perkins tournament at the Barbican Centre, William Moore claims the cost of attending the games could damage the game.

Mr Moore, of Lochrin Place, York, said the cost for him of watching all the games this year, as a disabled pensioner, topped £220 compared with £50 only two years ago. No season tickets were available, while concessions were limited to certain games.

But World Snooker, which is staging the tournament, which runs from November 15 to 28, has defended its prices as "reasonable" to see top-class players.

Adult tickets from November 15 to 18 are £5, rising to £7 from November 19 to 23 with £5 concessions, while the quarter-final is £10 (£5 concessions) with the semi-final costing £15 a ticket and tickets for the final cost £20.

The championship came to the Barbican in 2001 as part of a three-year deal.

In a letter to the Evening Press, Mr Moore said the cost of the 2001 tournament had been "very reasonable" while, as a disabled pensioner, he secured a season ticket in 2002 for £50.

He said season tickets stopped in 2003, with the price of watching all the games rising to £87.

This year that has soared to about £250 for adults without concessions.

"They must think Yorkies are a soft touch," wrote Mr Moore.

But World Snooker spokesman Ivan Hirschowitz said: "The tournament lasts 13 days. This is the second biggest tournament in the sport with top world players coming. Tickets start at £5 for the early rounds. If you compare that to football, golf or cricket, I think that is very reasonable."

He said season tickets were not on offer because a number of people had bought them in the past to watch the final without going to earlier games. This prevented others from attending, and the empty seats affected the atmosphere in the auditorium.

Big names this year will include Matthew Stevens, defending the title he won last year from Stephen Hendry, along with Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Williams, Paul Hunter, John Higgins, Steve Davis and Jimmy White.

Updated: 10:01 Tuesday, October 12, 2004