Snooker star on cue for Newbury Ladbrokes opening

The snooker and Strictly Come Dancing star was at the store for three hours, talking to customers and staff, as well as placing bets in a ‘beat the celebrity’ competition, in which any money that Mr Thorne won was donated to a local children’s charity at his request.
Mr Thorne’s experience certainly paid off as more than £250 was paid out to charity, of which £150 will go to Action for Children, based in Thatcham.
The opening was attended by more than 300 customers who had the chance to win an iPod, football shirts, perfume and chocolates, in addition to placing bets on weekend matches.
Ladbrokes’ Market Place manager Phil Murgatroyd, said: “The event went really well. It was well attended and Mr Thorne was very popular and friendly, putting customers at ease with his easy-going manner and charm.
“The day went better than we could have hoped for.”
The Ladbrokes store has relocated from its previous site in Market Street and Mr Murgatroyd said that the new shop would provide greatly improved facilities for customers in preparation for the highlight of the racing calendar, the Grand National, in April.