Jimmy White has been given a wild-card entry to the first major tournament of the new snooker season, the Champions Cup, at the Brighton Centre from August 25.

White lost his place among the world's elite top 16 at the end of last season, but the 38-year-old Londoner remains the peoples' champion and is the choice of host broadcaster ITV to take his place in the eight-man field.

The Whirlwind, who starts the new campaign at No 18 in the Embassy World Rankings, will be up against the likes of new world No 1 Mark Williams and defending Stephen Hendry.

"There are only eight players in this year's event compared to 10 last year so I'm delighted to receive an invitation," said White.

He added: "I'm playing lots of golf at the moment, but I have been back at the practice table for the last two weeks and will be ready for the Champions Cup.

"I've got lots of fans in Brighton and having played at the Brighton Centre before I know it's a great venue.

"I need to improve my form this season and be more consistent, but although I'm down to No 18 in the rankings, I'm No 12 on the one-year list so I've got a good chance of getting back into the top 16."

Invitations have been sent to all six of last season's major tournament winners - Williams, John Higgins, Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Matthew tevens, and Ken Doherty. Completing the line-up will be Stephen Lee, runner up in both the China Open and Regal Welsh and currently ranked No 5.

This year the field has been reduced from 10 to eight, but the number of frames being played in the round robin stage has been increased from best of seven to best of nine.

Hendry starts his 16th season as a professional, insisting: "I'm the best in the world."

Hendry is in bullish mood as he prepares to defend his Champions Cup. The 31-year-old Scot - undisputed world number one for eight years - begins the 2001 behind Williams and Higgins in the rankings.

Hendry said: "I believe that on my day I'm still the best player in the world. I like to think I've got another four or five years at the top.

"Although I'm not winning regularly, I picked up three titles last season. The day I don't think I'm good enough to beat the top players will be the day I pack up."