Bosses at the city centre venue are in talks with World Snooker about bringing the elite Grand Prix competition – for so long synonymous with the venue – back home.

The loss of top class snooker was described by community leaders as a huge blow to the city when the event moved to Aberdeen in 2006.

Now Chris Haylett, general manager of the Guild Hall and Charter Theatre, has revealed discussions are ongoing with the sport's governing body to rack up the competition once again.

He said: "We have always been trying to negotiate over the snooker.

"We are in talks again for the Grand Prix next year and we have pencilled in dates but that is as far as its gone at the moment.

"In these economic times they want a deal that is in their favour so it is about getting a balance really.

"There are conversations, there are e-mails, it is still there."

It is understood dates in October 2010 have been reserved to host the competition.

Speculation about the return of regular TV snooker to Preston was raised following the success of a Premier League event at the Guild Hall on Sky TV last month.

Despite it being broadcast live, the event, which saw former world champion Stephen Hendry take on the current champion John Higgins, was a near sell out, with 90% of the 785 tickets sold and many spectators paying on the door.

Paul Humphreys, publicity officer for the Guild Hall and Charter Theatre, said there had been a "constant flow of people" asking when the snooker would return.

Top flight snooker was hosted at the venue for more than two decades before its shock departure.

Since it left for Scotland, several players, including home grown talent Ian McCulloch, Jimmy White and the legendary Alex Higgins have told the Lancashire Evening Post the move from the Guild Hall was a "grave mistake".

And the news also comes as players warned this week morale in the sport is so low many cuemen are considering walking away.

Six-times world champion Steve Davies described the current atmosphere around the sport as "desperate".

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