Players often use a single cue for several years

Strict rules on what can be taken onto aircraft, introduced worldwide since the 11 September attacks, have forced snooker players to store their treasured cues in the baggage compartment of planes.

But in the past year, Scotland's Stephen Hendry and Mark Williams, of Wales, found their cues damaged following flights.

In the latest incident this week, Scotland's Marcus Campbell found his cue had been broken in two at Cardiff International Airport, where he had arrived to play in the Welsh Open in Sophia Gardens.

In the case of Williams and Campbell, the players approached Trevor White, of Bridgend, a former player who builds and repairs snooker cues.

Mr White was able to fix Campbell's cue before his match with Scot John Higgins on Wednesday.

Cues are irreplaceable. If a player loses his cue, it takes months to get accustomed to another one Cue doctor Trevor White

But with less than 24 hours to practice with the remodelled cue, Campbell crashed to a 5-1 defeat.

Mr White said airlines should allow professional snooker players to carry their cues into passenger cabins.

He said: "I used to play myself and I understand exactly what a cue means to players.

"I understand the airlines' security issues, but ultimately, these people are professionals who have been doing it for years.

"They are not anonymous individuals carrying a suspicious package on board.

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World champion Mark Williams' cue was snapped in transit

"I see no problems in the airlines examining the cue and maybe putting it in a secure part of the cabin.

"This (snapped cues) has happened to three people in the last year - and two of those were the world numbers one and two.

"It is damaging the airlines by making them look uncaring and indifferent."

During his defeat in Cardiff, Campbell managed a highest break of just 47.

His opponent, John Higgins, said snooker's authorities should tackle the problem.

"Something has to be done. Our governing body has to go to the sports minister and explain to him that this is our livelihood," he said.