WHEN competitors come within a cat's whisker of victory in this year's World Snooker Championship, 10-year-old Jessica will be eagerly lapping up the suspense.

Right on cue, when the snooker action comes on television at her home in Hereford, the fluffy tabby cat pricks up her ears and stares avidly at the screen.

Jessica's passion for the sport is not surprising when you hear that her owner, John Meredith is manager at the Hereford Snooker and Pool Centre in Coningsby Street.

Certainly she only springs into her ringside seat – a table in front of the telly – when Ronnie O'Sullivan and the like are potting the black.

But John's job is not the reason she looks like the cat that got the cream when the green baize comes into shot.

"I can't say I come home and tell her all about it!" says John.

Instead he thinks his long-haired pet loves to see all the movement.

"She's fascinated by it, she just can't take her eyes off it," he explains.

"I was just flicking through the channels and when she saw the balls flying around the table she was mesmerised."

In fact, John has filmed Jessica keenly watching an exchange between players.

"She was staring at the screen for over two minutes.

"I never thought animals could see the TV, but Jessica certainly puts paid to that theory!"

She's definitely not an outdoor cat, enjoying her creature comforts indoors too much.

After all, a cat can look at a king, and Jessica's looking forward to seeing the crowning of the snooker world champion next week.