LOCAL pool player Peter Allison has pin-pointed exactly what he wants to achieve this season. Allison, from Darlington, embarks on his second full season on the Embassy International Pool Tournament today desperate to improve on his first stint.

The 27-year-old, who also represents the Cleveland county side, finished 106th out of 175 first time around and now he has set his sights on a higher finish.

"For my first season I was delighted with where I ended up," said Allison, whose first competition on the circuit starts today at the Blackpool Hilton.

"It's a really tough circuit and to finish where I did pleased me.

"It's a learning curve really and I am confident that I can go a few better this season - starting at Blackpool."

Allison, a supervisor with mobile phone company Orange, competes in six competitions over the next ten months and he believes a good start at Blackpool will stand him in good stead.

And the captain of BridgeZ, who play in the Thursday Night Pool League, is hoping to repay his sponsors who are making his career in the sport take off.

Last season he was forced to foot the bill for his success by paying all the costs himself. Those amounted to £600 in entry fees and on top of those he had his travelling and accommodation costs.

Help has been at hand this year, however, after being handed £250 from Abbacab and £200 from printing company CP Offset, as well as being allowed to train at will in Darlington pub the Golden Cock, recently under new management.

And Allison said: "They have all been a great help and I would like to say thank you to them all.

l If anyone would like to sponsor Allison's campaign, he can be contacted on 07970 802911.