This is the view of a local MLA and sports fanatic, who has added his voice to tributes to Alex Higgins, following the two-time world snooker champion's death at the age of 61.

David Hilditch fondly recalled a meeting with Higgins at a charity golf tournament in Whitehead during 2004, but told the TIMES his main memories of the Hurricane date from the period in which the south Belfast player revolutionised the game.

"He was the master of the snooker table. To most of us who grew up in the 1970s, Alex Higgins was the reason we watched snooker, which had been seen as an old man's game until he came along," he recalled.

"I was a big fan and am very sad to hear of his early demise and the circumstances surrounding his death."

TIMES sports reporter Kevin Hughes described the Hurricane as "the greatest snooker player ever to pick up a cue, a man who breathed new life into his sport".

The snooker circuit writer acknowledged that Higgins' life had been clouded by alcohol, tobacco and his own volatile temper, but stressed that the star was often privately remorseful for some of his more controversial actions and never sought publicity for charitable acts that showed another side of his personality.

Mr Hughes added that he is happy to endorse Steve Davis's view of Higgins as a "true genius".