John Higgins is focused on maintaining his status as the world’s top snooker player as he looks ahead to the Maplin UK Championship in Telford.

The Wizard of Wishaw won last season’s 888.com World Snooker Championship, becoming one of only five players to have triumphed at the Crucible on more than one occasion.

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With that title also came the coveted No 1 position in the world rankings.

“My target for this season is to stay on top,” said 32-year-old Higgins a he looked forward to coming to Shropshire in December.

“I want to stay No 1 and put myself in a good position to defend the world title. If it works out that I have to win that again to stay as world No 1, I’d settle for that.

“I don’t feel any extra pressure as World Champion and world No 1 as I have experienced it before.”

Higgins now has his sights set on the Maplin UK Championship which runs from December 8 to 16 at the Telford International Centre.

“I’ve been practising hard and my game is sharp. Scotland is the best place to be in terms of practice partners,” added Higgins, who plays with the likes of Graeme Dott and Stephen Maguire.

Also battling for the Maplin UK Championship title will be the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Ding Junhui, Steve Davis and defending champion Peter Ebdon.

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Meet your snooker heroes – You can win a backstage pass for the final of the Maplin UK Championship at Telford International Centre in our amazing competition -click here.

Win tips from cue ace - Shropshire snooker players are being offered the chance to improve their game by taking part in a “master class” with one of the sport’s stars, Mark Selby, who reached the final of this year’s world championship – click here.