SNOOKER is definitely a hit with the Year 6 pupils at St Aelred's RC Primary School in York.

The class paid a special visit to UK Championship at the Barbican Leisure Centre this week to meet some of the stars, sample the atmosphere, see behind the scenes, play some snooker - and do some maths.

"When we got the invitation to visit the championship I thought it was too good an opportunity to miss," said class teacher Jacquie Jones. "I compiled a maths lesson using snooker numbers as the basis."

St Aelred's headmaster David Haughton was in charge of the class of 29 boys and girls who spent an hour playing snooker and pool in the Cuezone tent upstairs in the Barbican. The pupils and teachers were then taken on a tour of the venue by Tanya Crooks, of World Sports Group, the event management company organising the championship schedule.

They met former world champions Mark Williams and Ken Doherty, had their photographs taken with the stars, and the pupils went back to school clutching autographs and learning packs provided by WSG.

"It's a brilliant way for the children to learn," said their teacher.

Classes from another two York primary schools, Northfields and St Lawrence's, will be visiting the Barbican next week.

Students from the Army Training College at Harrogate were there this week and a party from a Barnard Castle school were due to be there today.

Updated: 12:24 Saturday, December 08, 2001