YORK has gone snooker loopy as the williamhill.com UK Championship returns to the city today.

World Snooker, the game’s governing body, has announced there have been record pre-sales for the tournament, which is back at the Barbican for the first time in five years.

A total of 5,832 tickets have been sold for the nine days of action on the green baize – advance numbers which have not been matched in the 34-year history of an event which is only bettered by the World Championship.

While the final has obviously been hugely popular with snooker fans starved of top class action since the end of the 2006 competition, World Snooker have reported heavy sales for a number of early rounds. The first-round clash between Ronnie O’Sullivan and Steve Davis will be played in front of a packed house of 650.

The ticket surge means chiefs have given their clearest hint yet that the event, given to York on an “initial” deal, will return to the city next year.

A World Snooker spokesman said: “We have set a new record for advance sales, in terms of the number of tickets sold.

“We are absolutely thrilled and it underlines that we have done the right thing in bringing the tournament back to York.

“We are really pleased with the passion for snooker in York and the surrounding area and it bodes well for the future of the event in York.”

The tournament runs until December 11 and tickets can be booked by phoning 0844 854 2757 or visiting www.worldsnooker. com/tickets

There are special deals for students this weekend, or people booking three evening tickets.