SINGING snooker ace Darren Thompson is racking up success at the microphone as well as on the green baize.

The Newport crooner won the Welsh European championship qualifying final while his singing act is booked up for months.

The hot-potting 36-year-old started his own business entertaining in clubs with help from the Prince's Trust.

Darren says that it has meant his days are free to practise his first love - snooker.

As a result, he won convincingly at last weekend's amateur finals, and now Darren hopes to raise funds to compete in May's European finals in Austria.

Darren, whose heroes include Luther Vandross and Mark Williams, said: "As a youngster I wanted to be a professional snooker player, but never got the sponsorship.

"In my twenties I did various driving jobs, but when I got to 30 I decided it was time to do something a bit more seriously."

Darren was a karaoke king and knew he had a good voice. "To be honest I never lacked any confidence," he admits. "I sang with a friend who was a professional and he showed me the ropes.

"The Prince's Trust gave me a grant to get started, so I have them to thank."

Darren duets with wife, Catherine, and now they both have more time with their two children, Katie, 11, and seven-year-old James.

"Singing at the weekends, playing snooker and being with the kids in the week, it really is a kind of fairytale," he said.

Richard Newton, of the Prince's Trust, is delighted Darren's hit the top note.

He said: "Darren is one of 5,000 people a year in Wales the Prince's Trust help to get their lives working. We are thrilled that he has set up a successful business that also allows him to pursue sporting excellence."