Essex has a budding new world snooker champion in the making - thirty-two year-old June Mead from Danbury.

In what has always been regarded as a male-dominated sport June has joined the growing ranks of the Women's World Snooker circuit.

June, who only started playing the game early last year, is already looking for World Ranking points this year with her eventual sights set on winning the coveted world title.

Like the men's circuit the women's competitions are proving extremely tough with more up and coming players taking part all fighting for success at tournaments across the country.

But June is determined to succeed after spending the majority of her time constantly practicing throughout 1998.

"You have to develop a professional attitude to the game from the outset," she said.

To help further prove her dedication to the game she is now receiving top coaching lessons from top professional Brian Morgan, now ranked 27th in the world, and an officially registered WPBSA coach.

Brian already feels that June is something of a natural to the game and with her current determination has the ability to do extremely well.

"She will obviously now need to learn to deal with tournament pressure as she is on the circuit," he said. "I think she is well focused and will do well.''

June's first tournament was the Ladies Regal Welsh Open at Cardiff on at the end of January and although losing 3-1 to Karin Brookes, ranked 26th in the world, she did extremely well.

June is currently practicing up to eight hours a day, five days a week at The Sportsman's Snooker Club at Maldon, who are currently part sponsoring June this year.

June is currently trying to obtain additional sponsors.

Anybody who can help contact Snooker Management on 01245 227302 or 07979 872653.

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