TROWBRIDGE snooker star Stephen Lee has paid a glowing tribute to his friend and fellow player Paul Hunter who died this week at the age of just 27.

The popular Yorkshireman lost his 18-month battle with cancer on Monday and leaves a young wife and a 10-month-old daughter.

Lee said: "I knew Paul well, he was a good friend and we spent a lot of time together travelling all over the country and to different parts of the world to play in tournaments.

"He was a great player as he showed winning the Masters three times, and I'm sure he could have gone on to be World Champion.

"He will just be deeply missed in the game and to die at 27 and leave a wife and a young child just puts it all into perspective really."

In May 2004 Hunter, along with a number of other snooker stars, visited Trowbridge to take part in a tournament at the Civic Hall, as part of celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the Wiltshire Times.