THE Wizard of Wishaw and Rocket Ronnie are seeded to meet in a clash of giants when the UK Snooker Championship, the biggest event of its kind ever staged in the city, comes to York in December.

Scotland's John Higgins, the man in form after winning the first three tournaments of the season, and world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan, who potted a 147 maximum break in Preston this week, are due to meet in the UK final at the Barbican Leisure Centre on Sunday, December 16, in what would be a repeat of this year's world championship final when the Essex ace took the title.

The UK Championship starts on Monday, December 3, and tickets go on sale on Monday for the 13 days of play. BBC television will be showing play from Saturday, December 8, through to the final.

Higgins, the world No 3, who is bidding to win the UK title for the third time in four years, said: "It's early on in the season but right now I would say there's only Ronnie to worry about. Things can change, but Mark Williams and Stephen Hendry have not been playing well."

The first test for Higgins in York is on the evening of Sunday, December 9, against the winner of the first round match between Chris Small and Robert Milkins. The previous afternoon Ronnie O'Sullivan takes on either Nigel Bond or Allister Carter. Jimmy White is in action the same afternoon against either Marco Fu or Luke Fisher. Stephen Hendry plays the same time against Drew Henry or Alan Robidoux. Leeds star Paul Hunter cues off on the evening of Saturday, December 8, against either Joe Perry or Jamie Burnett.

Steve Davis begins his first round match at 2.30pm on December 3. John Parrott is in action the next day.

The sessions from Monday, December 3 to Thursday, December 6 start at 10am, 2.30pm and 7pm. None of these will be televised live. There is no play on Friday, December 7. From Saturday, December 8 to Tuesday, December 11 sessions start at 1.10pm and 7.45pm.

The quarter-finals start on Wednesday, December 12, the semi-finals on Friday, December 14, and the final is on Sunday, December 16.

Matches in the first two rounds are best of nine frames, round three to the semi-finals best of 17 and the final best of 19 frames.

Tickets prices range from £3.50 up to £8.50 a session up to December 15. All day tickets are available from £7.50 to £13 (semi-finals). Tickets for the final cost £13 afternoon, £15 evening, all day ticket £25.

A limited number of adult tickets purchased before Monday, November 19 will receive a 50 per cent discount, eligible for all matches up to and including the quarter-finals.

Tickets are half price to OAPs and under-12s, except for the final. All under-12s must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or over. There is a student discount of £1 except for the final.

For all bookings and information contact the Barbican Leisure Centre booking office on York (01904) 656688 from Monday to Friday, 10am to 8pm, Saturdays from 10am to 5pm, Sundays from 10am to 4pm.

Updated: 11:15 Friday, October 19, 2001