A BUDDING young snooker player has the chance to join the ranks of the sports elite - at the tender age of 15.

David Donovan, pictured, from Pontypool is taking part in snooker's Open Tour of Britain which lasts until May and the top four players will be picked to play on snooker's senior tour.

Having played against former World Champion Mark Williams and as a member of Terry Griffith's Junior Academy in Llanelli, the talented youngster is relishing his chance for a crack at the top names.

In preparation for his big chance the West Monmouth School pupil is practising hard at Redz in Cwmbran, the snooker hall that sponsor him.

His first match is against Andrew Diascopoulos on Monday in Leicester and from there he will play in a tour event in Prestatyn as well as several other competitions including the qualifier for the Embassy World Championships.

As the under-19s Welsh Champion, European under-19 semi-finalist and semi-finalist in the Welsh Amateur Senior Championships, Donovan certainly has the pedigree to reach the games highest tier.

And his parents David Senior and Lorraine are backing their boy - they are travelling the country with him to take part in the tournaments.

Mum Lorraine said: "We are really proud of him.

"He's a good boy, gives up his own time to play and he's 15 going on 30!

"He's really excited about playing and can't wait to get up to Leicester, you'd think he was going to play at the Crucible, he's so excited."

The youngster plays for several sides including a team at Bargoed's Snooker Emporium, where professional Mark Williams practises and dedicates many hours on the green cloth.

While most parents would worry about sport playing such a big part in the life of one so young, Mrs Donovan says snooker has been a positive influence on her boy.

She said: "I think it's been a good influence on him, I always know where he is and he has learned discipline from playing the game so much.

"His coach thinks he has the talent to do well and has said there is no reason why he can't qualify from the Open Tour."