IF Jimmy White wins Malvern's Benson & Hedges Snooker Champion-ship on November 16 chances are he will celebrate with nothing stronger than a glass of mineral water.

White is once again the star attraction of the 12 day tournament at the Willie Thorne Snooker Centre that stars this Sunday afternoon.

And on current form the 38 year old six times world championship runner-up is firm favourite for the £5,000 first prize and wild card entry to the 2001 Benson & Hedges Masters at Wembley next February.

White has been rolling back the years this season after his momentous decision to ban the booze. "I'm living clean," he said recently when asked to explain the reason behind his renewed success. And that means fewer nights spent at the bar and more hours at the practice table.

White's dedication has been rewarded with a string of fine result that have catapulted him back into the world's top 16 .

Six weeks ago he reached the final of the British Open in Plymouth only for Peter Ebdon to deny him his first major trophy for a staggering eight years.

That was followed by a run to the semi-finals of the Grand Prix at Telford where it took world champion, world number one and former B&H champion Mark Williams to halt his progress.

And just for good measure there was success in the qualifying event for the Scottish Masters where victory over last season's world championship semi-finalist Joe Swail booked his ticket to the main event.

As a result the ever popular Londoner has risen from 18th on the rankings to number nine on the provisional list. "I always knew I could be a force again ad this new lifestyle seems to be paying off," he says with his trademark smile.

"The incentive for me coming to Malvern is to win that wild card for Wembley. The masters is my home tournament and I want to make sure I'm in it."

White is seeded through to round three and doesn't make his first appearance until November 11.

Over the years, the B&H Snooker Championship has been a stepping stone to greater success in the professional game. Welsh wizard Williams, Ronnie O'Sullivan, and current B&H masters champion Matthew Stevens are among the big name, former winners.

Jimmy White, for one, would love to add his name to that illustrious roll of honour.