THE biggest stars in snooker have put their names to a fundraising effort for a Ledbury-based brain injury unit.

A set of snooker balls, signed by stars at the current Embassy Snooker World Championships, at the Crucible in Sheffield, is being put on sale on the internet auction site ebay.

Supporters include Mark Williams, whose maximum 147 this week was only the sixth in the Crucible's history. Other famous names are Stephen Hendry, Jimmy White, Ronnie O'Sullivan and past players Willie Thorne and Ray Reardon.

Proceeds will go to the Acquired Brain Injury Transition Unit in Ledbury Community Hospital.

The project has been organised by Malvern resident Derek Allen and professional Malvern photographer Mark Stephenson.

Mr Stephenson, who works for TTL Sports, collected signatures and signed photographs while covering the event.

"It was Mark's idea," said Mr Allen, whose son Chris, 28, is being cared for at the unit after developing a brain tumour.

"I bought the balls and he got all the signatures and photographs. We think this would be an ideal present for a snooker enthusiast, it includes all the great names."

He is hoping to raise more than £2,000 from the sale and the set also includes a World Champion-ships 2005 programme, pen and notebook.

A raffle at the Cross Keys pub in Malvern, recently raised £160 for the unit.