DEWSBURY MP Shahid Malik became the first MP to retain the hotly contested pool contest prize against fellow MPs and journalists.

He also became the first to win the final without dropping a single frame in the tournament.

The event, held in Parliament's Annie's Bar, is often described as one of the highlights of the Westminster calendar.

This year it carried a £3,000 prize fund, with £1,500 for the winner.

The Labour MP plans once again to give his winnings to causes in his constituency.

Mr Malik despatched the Press Association's Rob Merrick in the semi-final with a 2-0 scoreline. He then went head-to-head in the final with BBC political correspondent Nick Assinder.

The MP won the best of five frames final 3-0.

Mr Malik said: "It was much harder than the scoreline suggests, but I was thrilled to win again."

After his win Mr Malik was invited to take on Eva Linn Fossheim, the 1998 nine ball European champion, who had refereed for the evening.

Sponsors Rileys Snooker said they would give him an extra £200 if he beat Eva - which he duly did.