THE 2006 Malvern Table Tennis League Championships will be held on Sunday, February 26, at the Forum, Malvern Theatres.

A most satisfactory 78 players have entered the event this year.

The main singles competition, sponsored by Brewin Dolphin Securities, has as usual attracted a strong entry. Current champion Jack Higgs is seeded one, with Mark Jones at two. Jack, who in 2005, was the youngest player ever to win this competition will be keen to retain his title.

Other seeds are Alan Salisbury (3), Joe Higgs (4), Mike Keeley (5), Dave White (6), Chris Hewitt (7) and Graham Thompson (8).

In the Express TV Services main doubles, holders Chris Hewitt and Graham Thompson are top seeds with Nigel Foreshew and Simon Morgan at two. Ray Page and Dave Woodyatt (3) and Joe Higgs and Alan Salisbury (4) complete the seedings for this event.

Dave Woodyatt is seeded one in the Roy Holland veterans singles event for players aged over 50, with Harry Jutle (2), Ray Page (3) and Derek Reynolds (4).

The ladies' singles continues to attract a good entry, with last year's winner Ann Barnes seeded one and division two player, Beryl Shammon at two. These players are likely to contest the final and Beryl will need to use all her many years experience against Ann who currently plays in division one.

The Brian Thompson division one singles sees last year's winner Joe Higgs seeded one, with Mark Jones (2), Alan Salisbury (3) and Mike Keeley (4).

In the Ledbury Exhaust division two singles the seeds are Dave Hallam (1), Paul Coleman (2), Richard Smith (3) and Jon Dyke (4).

In the division three singles, sponsored by Clarke Roxburgh, the entry is once again boosted by players from the league's coaching club run on Sunday evenings during the season at Dyson Perrins High School.

The seeds for this event are Nick Haggar (1), Ted Cates (2), Ray Davies (3) and promising junior player Craig Preece (4).

The Meredith Brothers division two doubles sees top seeds Neville Meredith and Richard Smith likely to meet stiff opposition from second seeds Jon Dyke and Dave Hallam and in the division three doubles, the holders Steve Mulka and Ralph Cook are at one, seeded to meet Ted Cates and Alan Forsdike in the final.

Jack Higgs is the top seed in the junior singles, sponsored by Paytons Solicitors, and is seeded to meet Mark Griffiths in the final. In the cadet singles, Craig Preece is seeded at one with Lizzy Gorton at two.

For the first time the league has been able to introduce a mixed doubles competition. Anne Barns and Jack Higgs are top seeds with Beryl Shammon and John Stalker at two. However, Lizzy Gorton and Dave White should provide tough opposition to either of these pairs.

Play starts at 9am and will be continuous throughout the day with the finals starting at around 6pm. Spectators are most welcome to watch the play from the Forum balcony.

Catering facilities will be available throughout the day in the Malvern Theatres complex serving snacks and hot and cold drinks from 10.30am and light meals from noon.