SNOOKER legend Steve Davis officially opened Stourbridge Institute's new match room.

The club has spent thousands on the revamp and hopes it will not only encourage new members but also put it on the map as the best snooker venue in the area.

More than 100 members were able to meet the six time snooker world champion on January 24, before a select few were able to play a frame with him, refereed by Maria Catalano.

Club chairman, Ron Peplow, said the evening was a huge success and gave everyone the chance to see what work had been done.

He explained: "It was always a match room but the tables weren't the best standard, and the facility was shared by the table tennis section.

"The refurbishment involved bringing the two tables up to a very high standard, re-positioning them to cater for more spectators, extending the carpeting, and relocating the table tennis tables to another refurbished part of the club."

Mr Peplow added that throughout the evening, members also helped to raise more than £300 for Mary Stevens Hospice.

He said although the club has around 780 members, he is keen to attract a younger crowd to use the facilities.

Members can play snooker, bridge, chess, table tennis and badminton or enjoy a meal in the dining room or socialise in the lounge.

For more information, visit www.stourbridge-institute.co.uk.