DING Junhui today warned snooker's superstars he wasn't ready to relinquish his UK Championship crown as he prepares to defend the title in York next month.

"I am in good form and my game is good. I think I can win again," the 19-year-old exclusively told The Press.

Speaking during a visit to the Minster city, Ding is preparing to return to the Barbican Centre - the scene of his 10-6 triumph over Steve Davis in the final a year ago and his first major title on British soil.

The provisional world number four said he was hopeful he could reproduce last year's form in snooker's second biggest championship, despite a hectic schedule which will see him jet in to Britain from the Asian Games, in Doha, Qatar, just hours before his first match in York is set to get under way.

Twelve months ago, Ding brushed aside Anthony Hamilton, Jimmy White, Paul Hunter, Neil Robertson and Joe Perry before his demolition of Davis landed him the title. He conceded just 17 frames on his way to the final.

"At first I didn't know how good it would be," Ding said. "Things were pretty similar afterwards in Britain but in China there were lots of interviews and fans. I've had to go to lots of events over the year. The win gave me a lot of satisfaction."

Ding will open the defence of his UK title against either Ryan Day or Chinese compatriot Liu Song on the afternoon of December 9 - just hours after arriving in Britain from Qatar.

His flight is due to land at 6pm on December 8, with his first match in the competition scheduled to start barely 24 hours later.

He said: "I probably will be tired but I am not too worried about it. The first stage could be difficult - particularly with the time issue - and I might get tired at first, but if I can go on well, I will be concentrating on the game."

With an impressive record in the Premier League and a 9-6 victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan in the Northern Ireland Trophy giving him his third ranking title, Ding said he was going into York in confident mood.

"I think I can win again. I am always very uncertain to say I will win again, but I will try my best," he said.

Ding was visiting Chinese students at the University of York where they organised a pool tournament, the winner of which got to play the UK Champion.

"I have been to York loads of times," Ding said.

"I have some friends here. It's a really good city, sometimes I would prefer to stay."