A snooker player hoped to fulfil his dream of becoming world champion after setting up his training base in the North-East – leaving his young family on the other side of the world.

Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, who in 2018 lived and trained in Darlington, made his first ever appearance at the World Snooker Championships at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield on Friday, April 28, 2018.

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The then 33-year-old, who is originally from just outside Bangkok in Thailand, where his wife and two children, aged six and four, still lived, lost to four-time world champion John Higgins in the open round.

But despite his defeat by ten frames to seven, he still made a name for himself after missing the final red as he was set to complete a 147 break.

Mr Un-Nooh admitted he was nervous during the opening session of the match, but relaxed as it went on.

“It was excellent to get to the Crucible – it was a dream to play there and my dream came true."

A baby who underwent surgery while still in her mother’s womb was reunited with the surgeon who saved her life.

Ruth Elder, 32, from Chester-le-Street, had in-utero surgery after an ultrasound showed that her unborn baby had developed a rare fetal condition, known as hydrops fetalis.

The condition is detected on a scan where there is an abnormal accumulation of fluid around the baby’s heart, lungs and inside the abdomen.

It was during the 28-week scan that the sonographer noticed a significant build-up of fluid around the baby’s heart and lungs.

Mrs Elder, and her husband Ross, 35, who are also parents to Henry, three, were then referred to the fetal medicine team at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

Mrs Elder said: “It all happened really quickly so there wasn’t a great deal of time to worry about what the procedure would entail, I just wanted them to do whatever they needed to do to try to save our baby.”

The procedure was carried out the following week by Professor Stephen Robson, an honorary consultant obstetrician.

Using ultrasound as a guide, Prof Robson placed a small plastic tube through the abdomen, through the wall of the womb and into the baby’s chest wall to relieve the fluid around the lungs.

Professor Robson said: “The baby was very poorly and while placing the shunt carries a risk it was the only option available. Had this procedure not taken place, the chances of the baby surviving were very low.

“The intention with Ruth’s surgery was to place a shunt in both sides of the baby’s chest but because of the position of the baby in the womb we were only able to access the right side.

“There aren’t a large number of fetal abnormalities that you can treat in the womb, but this option is sometimes available and intervention can be very effective.”

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced the name of their baby son, Louis Arthur Charles.

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The couple’s third child, who was born on Monday, April 23, 2018 at 11.01am, weighing 8lb 7oz, will be known as Prince Louis, Kensington Palace announced after a four-day wait.

The Palace said in a short statement: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their son Louis Arthur Charles.

“The baby will be known as His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge.”