GWENT snooker ace Darren Morgan, pictured, has opened his heart to the Argus, admitting he is finding the prospect of leaving the sport behind a real wrench.

Morgan, 38, has been a professional for over 16 years but believes the slimming down of the professional circuit means that this will be his last season at the top level.

The Cwmfelinfach potter, ranked as high as eighth in the world in 1994, two years before he won the Irish Masters, lost out 5-4 to England's Adam Davies in the first qualifying round of the British Open three days ago and admits his prospects in the sport now look bleak.

The professional circuit will be cut in half from 128 to 64 at the end of the year with the players outside of the 64 expected to carry on with an amateur status.

Morgan, currently ranked 77, believes the end of the season will bring the curtain down on his career.

He said: "I have started to realise that my days are numbered professionally, I have had my day and any success I achieve this season will be a bonus.

"I still love the sport and enjoy playing the game but I keep getting beaten 5-4 in qualification events and it means that it is unlikely that I will hold my place on the circuit.

"I started to think last season that this year would be my last and to be honest I have found it more upsetting than I thought I would.

"I will keep playing this year and keep enjoying it and whatever happens at the end of this season I will always be able to look back on the great times I have had."

Morgan is already planning for a career away from professional snooker and he is the owner of the Red Triangle Snooker Club in Cross Keys, where he is keenly encouraging and promoting young talent.

He explained: "The club is a side project of mine and we are doing lots to get youngsters playing and enjoying snooker.

"We ran a summer league recently for six months and I found it hard-work but extremely rewarding and long may it continue."