RONNIE O'Sullivan, the world's No 1 snooker player, was on cue to back Operation Covert when he was in action in Kidderminster on Thursday.

The "Rocket" was at the Glades Arena for the latest Betfred Premier League tournament and took time out to draw the winning tickets in a fund-raising raffle for our appeal.

The prizes of snooker cues autographed by O'Sullivan and Steve Davies, Stephen Maguire and Ding Jun-hui, who were also playing on the night, were won by keen Kidderminster snooker fans.

The first went to Brian Sharp, of Offmore, who works at the Pockets Snooker Club in the town.

The second was won by retired carpet worker Michael Bayliss, of Broomfield Close, who immediately gave it to his grandson Jim Hannan who works at the Glades Arena.

The raffle raised £438 for the Shuttle/Times and News appeal to rebuild the Rhydd Covert activity centre burned down by vandals last year.

It is the third time this year that the appeal has received a financial boost from top sports stars.

Autographed cues and a dart board were also raffled at premier snooker and darts events held at the Glades in February and April.

The three events have brought in more than £1,300 for Operation Covert - and it is hoped more cash will be generated when the Betfred darts tournament returns to the Glades in February.

Shuttle/Times and News editor, Clive Joyce, said: "It was another great result for our appeal and we are grateful to members of Kidderminster and District Lions Club and the Rhydd Covert service team for their hard work selling tickets on the night."