THE forthcoming Welsh Open snooker tournament could be the last to be held at the Newport Centre.

Chairman of World Snooker Barry Hearn has been reported today as saying that he would love to see the tournament - which brings the world's top-ranked players to Newport - staged in Cardiff in future.

The tournament has been held at the Newport Centre since 2005, and had been held in Newport for several years during the 1990s.

This year's event, beginning on February 19, will feature 128 players from around the world, including household names such as multi-world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan and current Welsh Open title holder Stephen Maguire, who beat Stuart Bingham 9-8 in a thrilling final last year.

Mr Hearn is reported as saying that he wants to "upgrade" the event and that World Snooker will be looking at various venues in Cardiff.