SHE is the ladies' champion.

After decades of women being banned from the tables of Hampshire clubs, snooker sensation Suzie Opacic has won her battle to pot balls on any table in the Southampton area.

Nine months after being banned the teenage world champion will finally be allowed to compete at the Netley Central Sports and Social Club following a members' vote to change the rules and allow women to become full members of the snooker club.

Suzie, who celebrated her 19th birthday last week, said: "This is great news, not just for me but for other ladies wishing to play in the league next season."

The Daily Echo revealed last December how Suzie, who was crowned World Ladies' Junior Champion earlier in the year, was barred from playing a Southampton and District Social Clubs League match at the Hampshire club.

The club told the Echo they would vote at their next annual meeting on whether to allow Suzie and other women to play, and following this year's AGM they have turned the tables on the old rule and will allow women members to join from January next year.

"It means that women can play snooker. It's excellent news for them," said club secretary Celia Foyle.

Miss Foyle also sent Suzie, who lives in Bambridge, near Colden Common, best wishes for the new season.

Last year Suzie was a top player in the Pot Black team after captain Steve Boterhoek signed her when she was 16 to the Division Two Southampton Social Club League. They have since won promotion to Division 1 - which means that despite the new ruling, star signing Suzie won't actually play at the Division Two venue Netley Central.

Suzie is now looking to the prestigious Wytech-sponsored Masters in Derbyshire on September 15 where she will play for a £1,200 prize fund.

The following day she will also compete in the UK Championship, which is the first of six ranking events that culminate in the Ladies World Championships in Cambridge at the end of March.