Mark Hirst, Bradford's only player on the world billiards circuit, fears for the future of the sport now that the governing body has drastically slashed its support.

The 39-year-old world No 18 explained: "The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association have cut their billiards budget for the year from £100,000 to £50,000, and now it has gone down to £20,000.

"And that means there is only going to be one tournament this season - in Malta from March 31 to April 4 - and only 16 players will be going to that.

"They will be the top eight players in the rankings, four Maltese players, two players from an Indian qualifying and two players from an English qualifying.

"I didn't even bother to enter the English qualifying because the matches were only 100 up - even the Bradford amateur final is 500 or 600 up - and it just wasn't worth going there for the shorter format."

Hirst added: "I would have found it difficult to come through the qualifying anyway against players such as Lee Lagan (Middlesbrough) and Peter Sheehan (Widnes).

"Peter is the world No 9 and Lee plays full-time, whereas I work full-time as an Inland Revenue officer in Shipley."

Hirst thinks the way forward for the sport could well be one-day professional tournaments, like the successful one at Great Horton Conservative Club last month. He said: "There was a reasonable turnout of spectators, the players enjoyed it and we hope to repeat it next year. I can see more and more of these being held."