World Snooker has signed a new agreement with Milliken that will see the company supplying its top grade Strachan cloth for all World Snooker tournaments including the World Championships.

It marks one of the longest associations between a manufacturer and a sport regulator, Milliken and World Snooker first joining forces in 1980 when Canada’s Cliff Thorburn took the world title.

Since then, Strachan has featured in 28 consecutive World Championships, which have produced 14 professional World Snooker champions including three-times winner Ronnie O’Sullivan.

Miles Pearce, commercial director with the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, said: “Strachan cloth is a key part of our ambition to provide the best possible playing conditions at all World Snooker tournaments and we are happy to retain our relationship with Milliken.”