World snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan is already a sell-out for his first appearance at the UK Championship in York next month.

O'Sullivan takes the stage at the Baribican Leisure Centre on Saturday, December 8, playing the winner of the first round match between Nigel Bond and Allister Carter. But all tickets for that day's afternoon session, which also features defending UK champion John Higgins playing Chris Small or Robert Milkins, have been sold.

By this midweek a total of 7,229 tickets for the championship had been booked.

The December 16 final is a sell-out. The championship starts on December 3. BBC start televising the event on December 8. The Barbican ticket box office number is 01904 656688.

Updated: 11:16 Friday, November 23, 2001