LIB DEM COUNCIL POTS SNOOKER JACKPOT FOR SHEFFIELD

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 29th Apr 2009

Sheffield's economy has been given a £16 million boost thanks to the Liberal Democrat Council and it's partners. Today it was announced that the Snooker World Championship is to stay in the city until 2014. Lib Dem leader of the Council, Cllr Paul Scriven has welcomed the news - and said it was like getting a 147 break.

Paul said: "Sheffield is snooker's proper home. When you think of tennis you think of Wimbledon, football of Wembley - and snooker of Sheffield. We don't open our doors to snooker each year, we open our hearts throughout the year."

The agreement means the championship will remain at the Crucible until 2014. The current deal runs out in 2011.

Cllr Scriven compared the feeling at hearing the news to Stephen Hendry's maximum 147-break on the green baize yesterday morning. He added: "The World Championships are very important to the economy of Sheffield - making £3 million last year. Looking ahead to 2014, it will put £15 to £16 million into the economy which is a net gain for us."

"You can see the evidence in the buzz around the city - in the bars, the restaurants and the hotels. It's good for those who live here as well as those who come to visit, which is why we were prepared to make an investment to keep it here."