Keighley's Chris Melling has a famous rival bidding to deprive him of his Embassy World 8-Ball pool title at Blackpool's Hilton Hotel.

Australian snooker star Quinten Hann won the event in 1999, and three years on Malta's Tony Drago wants to become only the second overseas winner of the tournament.

However, new boy Drago faces some stiff competition from experts of the small table game.

Melling is keen to become the first player to retain the trophy and also to make up for his snooker disappointments.

He narrowly failed to retain his place on the main circuit and next season must start again on the UK Challenge>Tour.

Melling, runner-up in the 1999 Bradford Snooker Championships, hasn't played as much pool as normal because of his snooker commitments - until a few weeks ago.

But a hectic 31-night exhibition tour has ensured he'll be in tune to take on all-comers at the Hilton Hotel.

"It's been very hectic and I've been all over the country," says Melling. "However, the response has been fantastic and playing so many matches a night enables me to get my cueing arm going.

"I think I'll win the title again, though obviously I'm the one the rest are gunning for," says the top seed.

"I made a bit of history last year by becoming the first player to win the World junior and the Embassy world titles.

"So, it would be great if I could become the first player to retain my title. I'll be giving it my best shot."

West Midlander Mick Hill could emerge as Melling's biggest threat for the £10,000 first prize.

Despite suffering a shock early exit last year, Hill is bang in form, having just become the first player to win three successive Embassy International Tour events.

"Mick and Darren Appleton have been playing superbly," agrees Melling.

"But if I play like I did last year, I'm sure I can have another good run.

"I just hope I get an easier draw. Someone has got to be the first player to retain the title, and hopefully it will be me."

The event started yesterday with the opening ceremony and the opening rounds of the Team Championship.