A HITCHIN pool man is living out his dream. Julian Pennie, a 41-year-old from Purwell Lane, has qualified for the eight-ball professional pool tour. It is run by the International Professional Pool Association (IPPA), although the six tours are all based

A HITCHIN pool man is living out his dream.

Julian Pennie, a 41-year-old from Purwell Lane, has qualified for the eight-ball professional pool tour.

It is run by the International Professional Pool Association (IPPA), although the six tours are all based in England.

Each tour features several different tournaments with venues including Blackpool, Hinckley (twice), Birmingham and Daventry.

The first tour was at Wembley over the weekend.

It started on Friday and Julian picked up vital ranking points after progressing through two rounds on the main tour.

He was eventually beaten 7-3 by world ranked number 21 Eddie Barker from Berkshire.

The tour has 220 players but only the top 64 in the world are fully professional.

Julian said: "I used to play snooker when I was younger. I've played pool in recent years and I've now decided to push myself more to go further."

He is sponsored by Hitchin builders, RJB, with other backing from Hitchin bricklayers S&B Wick. Pennie himself is involved in the cladding trade.

Julian is married to Kristina and has two young girls, seven-year-old Kyra and three-month-old Carys.