CHRIS MELLING has been crowned Embassy World Pool Champion for the second time -- becoming only the third person to hold the title twice.

Melling clinched the 8-Ball title with some of the best performances ofhis career.

"Even I couldn't believe the way I was playing. I only missed seven balls in 73 frames. It has been rated the best final in the history of the competition," he said.

Melling took the title in Blackpool by beating defending champion Jason Twist 11-7 at the resort's Hilton Hotel.

Both stars served up a dazzling array of pool that took just 45 minutes to complete, the fastest final in the 11-year history of the competition.

Indeed, 'Magician' Melling and 'Tornado' Twist played the opening four frames faster than it took master of ceremonies Alan Hughes to do his pre-match introductions. The quickest frame was an eye-blinking 70-seconds while the slowest was just five minutes.

Melling, whose win was worth £10,000, made only two unforced errors in a superb match watched by his mum and dad, Elli and Doug, together with a group of supporters who travelled from Keighley.

"Jason is a class player and you have got to play brilliant pool to beat him," Chris said.

"I was 6-4 up at the interval and I was feeling hard done by. If I'd been playing anyone else I would have been 8-2 in front.

"Jason and I have played in three televised finals now and that says something, but I've beaten him every time. It's great to get my hands on the trophy again because he's been a great champion."

Twist, the number one seed, missed a great chance to square the match at 8-8. He was clearing up but misjudged a shot as he tried to chip the black into a middle pocket.

Melling punished the error and Twist didn't win another frame.

"I don't think I played that badly, but Chris was playing some awesome pool. I was just trying to keep hold of his coat tails.

"It was a great game to play in. I think Paul Daniels could learn a few tricks from the 'Tornado' and the 'Magician.' It's always disappointing to lose but I've been beaten by a worthy world champion," Twist said.

On Tuesday Chris flew off to Ireland for a series of exhibition matches with snooker great 'The Whirlwind' Jimmy White, and later in the year he will be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Williams and Stephen Hendry when he returns to snooker's main professional circuit.

But the new Embassy Pool Champion won't turn his back on his first love.

He said: "I'll be on the main snooker tour again in September but I will always play pool. It's what I have always played and I see no reason to stop."

Chris is also on top form at snooker and warmed up for the pool tournament by challenging Twist to a 25-frame snooker exhibition game. During the match he scored five 70+ breaks, three 90+ breaks and head eight centuries -- he also missed the final black for a 147 meximum three times.

"I've had a total of thirteen 147s and have scored back-to-back 145 and 147 breaks so I know I can do it. I'm older now and more confident, and really looking forward to getting onto the full snooker tour," he said.

After picking up the £10,000 cheque at Blackpool on Saturday night Chris is not planning a big spending spree.

"It will go in the bank - and I might treat my mum to a holiday," he said.

The bookmakers suffered after taking about £4,000 in bets on Melling winning the title before the event started.

Televised coverage of the Embassy Championship is due to be shown on Sky Sports 3 from June 10 - 15