Pukka Pies is to follow in the names of Liverpool Victoria, PowerHouse, Travis Perkins and Maplin Electronics to become the new sponsor of the UK Championship.

World Snooker chairman Sir Rodney Walker expressed his delight at the deal: ‘Pukka Pies is a famous and successful British brand, which makes it an appropriate sponsor for one of our biggest tournaments.’

The Leicester based company, who also sponsor the main stand at Boundary Park, home of Oldham Athletic A.F.C., produces more than 50 million pies and pasties a year.

The UK Championship tournament runs from the 5th -13th December at the International Centre in Telford.