ALAN Ball, one of England's 1966 World Cup winning heroes, is the guest speaker at a dinner to mark the start of the 2002 World Cup.

The dinner, part of snooker star and present World Senior Masters Champion Willie Thorne's testimonial year, is being held at the Malvern Link's Willie Thorne Snooker Club on Friday, May 31 at 7pm.

At this unique black tie event, which includes a four-course dinner, Alan Ball, who played for England 72 times and later managed both Premiership and lower division teams, will be reliving some of his greatest moments both on and off the field.

Further details of the event, including tickets, are available on (01684) 892147.